The Chief Constable retains responsibility for operational matters. If the Panel seek to scrutinise the PCC on the PCC’s strategic oversight of an operational matter, the Chief Constable may, where necessary and at reasonable notice, be invited to attend alongside the PCC to offer factual accounts and clarity (if needed) of the Chief Constable’s actions and decisions. The accountability of the Chief Constable remains firmly to the PCC and not to the Panel.