Can you identify the two countries where Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) were elected?

Police and Crime Commissioners, or PCCs, are all about local accountability in policing. Think of them as the public's voice in how their local police force is run. Now, the key thing to remember is that the structure of policing and local government varies across the UK. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different systems for overseeing their police forces. For example, Scotland has the Scottish Police Authority. England and Wales, however, operate under a combined system where PCCs are directly elected by the public. These commissioners are responsible for setting the police force's budget, deciding local policing priorities, and holding the Chief Constable to account. So, when you think about PCCs, picture them specifically in the context of England and Wales, where they play a direct role in shaping local policing strategies. It's easy to assume it's a UK-wide system, but it's really focused on these two countries.