While the overriding statutory duty is to secure an efficient and effective police force for its area, the Authority has a number of other duties:

• Setting local objectives, reflecting national objectives set by the Home Secretary and approving the Policing Plan
• Ensuring that Best Value is achieved in every area of force activity
• Paying regard to the need to reduce crime and disorder and appoint representatives to each Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership in our area; there are seven in the West Midlands, one for each of the unitary authorities that constitute the West Midlands
• Settling the budget requirement each year and setting a precept as an element of the Council Tax to fund local policing and monitor expenditure and income against budget
• Ensuring that arrangements exist for consulting the public on matters concerning the policing of the area and for obtaining public co-operation with the police in crime prevention
• Appointing Chief Officers
• Making arrangements for one or more of its members to attend local council meetings to take questions from local authority members on the discharge of the functions of the Authority
• Publishing its plans and accounts
• Operating a custody visiting scheme for the area

In addition to these duties, the Authority must meet all other obligations placed on public bodies, such as freedom of information and race relation requirements.