How to ask a question

A member of the public is permitted to submit one written question to each Public Assurance Meeting, regarding the performance of Lincolnshire Police. The question must be submitted no later than midday, five clear working days before the scheduled meeting.

All questions must be submitted in writing prior to the meeting, this can be done by:

• downloading the public questions form and emailing it to PAMquestion.pcc@lincs.police.uk 
• posting the public questions form to: Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Lincolnshire Police Headquarters, Deepdale Lane, Nettleham, LN2 2LT

Rules of Procedure for Submitting a Public Question to Public Assurance Meetings

1. Members of the public may have a question asked on their behalf by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) at a Public Assurance Meeting (PAM).
2. Written questions must be delivered to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner five clear working days before the day of the PAM. (i.e. not including bank holidays or weekends). For example, a question for a PAM held on a Tuesday must be submitted by midday the previous Tuesday.
3. This can be done by post or via email 
4. Any person (other than a member of the PAM) who resides, works or studies in the policing area may ask a question. No person may submit more than one question for any one meeting and no multi-part questions will be accepted.
5. The Chief Executive may reject a question if it:
   a. Does not fall within the terms of reference for the PAM;
   b. Relates exclusively to an individual grievance or personal issue;
   c. Is defamatory, offensive or frivolous;
   d. Is substantially the same as a question which has been put at a PAM within the previous 6 months; or
   e. Requires the disclosure of restricted information.
6. Any person whose question is rejected in accordance with point (5) above will be informed in writing, including the reason for rejection.
7. Where a question is accepted, the requestor will be notified of the date of the meeting at which their question will be asked.
8. Questions will be asked in the order in which notice of them is received. Each question will be read out at the meeting. Questions may be summarised to aid clarity and brevity. Answers will be given by the Chief Constable or relevant office-holder nominated by them.
9. A maximum of 15 minutes will be allowed for the section of the agenda dealing with public questions. This will be undertaken as the first substantial item of business at the beginning of the PAM.
10. Any question that cannot be dealt with during the allotted time will be dealt with by a written answer. All written answers will be published on the Police and Crime Commissioner’s website.