Welcome to our ‘Unlocking Leadership‘ series, where we delve into the minds of visionary founders, leaders, and innovators. Through our Q&A interviews, we uncover the core principles that shape leadership in today’s dynamic business world.

In this edition of Unlocking Leadership, we are joined by Emily Spurrell, a distinguished leader in public service and policing reform.

Elected as Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) in 2021 and re-elected in 2024, Emily has been a dedicated advocate for public safety and community-focused policing. Her leadership extends beyond Merseyside, as she also serves as Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), a role she took on in September 2024.

Emily has served as Merseyside’s Deputy PCC and as a local councillor since 2012. As a PCC, she acts as the bridge between communities and police forces, championing public priorities and ensuring accountability in law enforcement. Her role as Chair of the APCC amplifies her impact, enabling her to shape national policy and support PCCs across England and Wales.

In our interview, Emily shares insights into her leadership journey, the evolving challenges in policing, and her vision for fostering safer, stronger communities.

 

What are the core principles that guide your leadership?

I’m only in my role as Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner because the public has voted for me to represent them — so I feel really strongly that I deliver on the promises I made to the public. To do that, it’s important I bring people with me – both those I lead professionally and the public I serve. So, what guides me is always remembering why, and for whom, I’m doing what I’m doing, and by the principles of honesty and transparency.

Collaboration is vital in your role. How do you approach working across departments and with such a diverse array of stakeholders to achieve shared goals?

As a leader, identifying and working with the right people to get things done is key. Collaboration and partnership is central to my role as PCC. I also genuinely believe it’s the most effective way of achieving the best outcomes.

At a time when resources are stretched, it’s more important than ever to try to bring people together — for instance from policing, local government, the health service and charities — to use funding effectively and maximise every penny, while also sharing best practice, learning and innovation. Working in partnership is essential if I am to deliver on my campaign message of a safer, stronger Merseyside.

What advice would you give to women who are just starting out in politics or public service roles, particularly those aiming to shape or influence policy?

I would say, “Don’t be the one to hold yourself back”. Some time ago, I thought about going for a role but in the end didn’t put myself forward for it, only to later regret it. When I reflected on who eventually took up the position, I knew I should have gone for it because I could certainly have done the job. I promised myself after that I wouldn’t be the reason I didn’t get a role and that I wouldn’t hold myself back.

How do you foster a motivated and cohesive team under challenging circumstances?

I have an amazing team in the Merseyside PCC’s office. They understand why I’m doing what I’m doing and share my values. We’ve had an incredibly challenging few years, but we have developed the right culture, where people pull together to work towards shared goals and who support each other. This year, that support has been more vital than ever. I want them to feel appreciated and respected, and I put effort into building resilient relationships.

There’s no doubt public trust in policing has been damaged in recent years, so I am working with other policing leaders in my national role as APCC Chair and locally as Merseyside PCC to drive change to ensure the right culture throughout policing. We’ve just had our annual APCC NPCC Partnership Summit alongside the country’s police chiefs during which the Home Secretary outlined her vision for major reform of policing. As APCC Chair, I’ll be working with the government to make sure the right structures are in place for a police service fit for the future and, crucially, that works for the public.

The theme of our Summit was the impact of global events on local policing. One of the greatest challenges we face as a sector is the impact of mis- and dis-information spread online. We saw this summer how quickly that can turn into violence on the streets, so we need a police service that’s equipped with the skills to respond to an evolving and increasingly tech-enabled criminal landscape but also that is agile enough to respond to major incidents like the riots in the summer.

Ultimately, I want the public to see improved performance in their police force and feel confident that they can turn to the police when they need to. That means solving crimes and ensuring victims get the right support, every time. I also want to see much more focus on preventing crimes from happening in the first place. Of course, to embed such long term, meaningful change, we need better financial resilience.

What’s the best leadership advice you’ve ever received?

Be authentic and don’t try to be something that you’re not. You have to do it your own way or people will spot that you’re not being genuine.

Policing and crime prevention are rapidly evolving fields. What emerging trends or technologies are you most excited about?

New technology is definitely helping policing, but it’s also enabling crimes such as fraud and online sexual exploitation and abuse, so it’s vital policing keeps up with how criminals are using tech. The use of Facial Recognition Technology since the riots has helped police identify suspects in a fraction of the time it would take for officers to watch vast amounts of video footage.

Everyone is talking about how Artificial Intelligence can transform so many areas of work. Anything that increases efficiency, freeing up officers to be out on the streets engaging with the public is of course welcome, but we must make sure that policing uses AI responsibly and transparently. It comes back again to the public being able to trust the police.

How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance? Are there any strategies you’ve found helpful?

As a new mum, I have to admit this is definitely a challenge, particularly since taking on the role of APCC Chair in September, but I’m lucky I really enjoy my job. Having a very understanding partner is key, and I also have a strong social network who help make sure I find time to step away from work and relax.

What’s the most important thing for you to have achieved in your career?

I still have important things I want to achieve and many of the areas of work I am most passionate about are long term endeavours where it will take time to see change. It really matters to me that I’m taking steps to make people’s lives better. That’s why I launched Victim Care Merseyside hub a couple of years ago, providing a one-stop hub to help and support victims of crime. Getting it off the ground was definitely a challenge but knowing that it is helping thousands of people who are going through a really difficult time to get the right support is really rewarding.

Finally, what’s a favourite motto that you often draw on?

My mother used to have lots of mottos that I like to reflect on, but I think my favourite is, “Mistakes are my friend”. Life’s journey is all about learning.

 

Watch our interview with Emily as part of the Policing for a Safer Tomorrow programme