The Authority works closely with West Midlands Police and its partners, such as local authorities, crime and disorder reduction partnerships and other agencies in the criminal justice system. The Authority has a strategic role and is not responsible for the day-to-day delivery of policing, which is the responsibility of the Chief Constable. The Authority works through its committees and individual members to:

• monitor and scrutinise force performance, using force data and information available on other forces and other organisations
• maintain an awareness of policies and procedures used by the force and monitor their impact on the delivery of the Authority's Policing Plan.
• ensure that the force reflects the diverse community it serves and that best practice locally, nationally and internationally is disseminated throughout the force both internally and in terms of service delivery
• monitor and scrutinise finances and budgets, including revenue and capital expenditure
• ensure that the force delivers the current national policing priorities of neighbourhood policing, workforce modernisation and improving the quality of service.
• take into account the views of the community and influencing the shape of policing for the West Midlands

The Authority also plays its role in the national work undertaken by the Association of Police Authorities (APA) The APA is the national voice of police authorities. Through its members and officers the Authority contributes to the work of the APA in:

• influencing the national policing agenda on behalf of police authorities
• lobbying government and others
• developing guidance and advice to assist authorities