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The introduction of crime commissioners has helped make police forces much more accountable to the public, according to policing minister and Kent MP Damian Green.
A year on from the first election for 41 crime commissioners, the minister said they had proved a success and had become important public figures.
He made his comments as surveys marking the election anniversary suggested there continued to be public apathy to the concept.
A YouGov poll suggested only 9% of those polled thought PCCs had contributed to a fall in crime in their area.
Mr Green said: “It is unarguable that commissioners have got people to care what happens in a way they never did before under police authorities.”
He added: “Ann Barnes is a prime example - she has gone from police authority chairman to crime commissioner and is a much more important public figure.”
He conceded there had been “a few bumps along the road” but predicted that next time elections were held, the turnout would be better.
Mrs Barnes was elected to the £85,000 a year role last November, but there was widespread disinterest with a turnout of just 16%.
She marked the anniversary of her win to say she intended to contest the next election.
In an interview with the KM Group, she said: “Why wouldn’t I? A lot of things could happen in three years' time. I love this job. I really feel I am making a difference.”
Meanwhile, Rochester and Strood MP Mark Reckless, a member of the Home Affairs select committee, said: “Ann Barnes is now much better known to the public than she ever was as the former chairman of Kent Police Authority.
"What is important is that when commissioners take decisions, they are democratically accountable. That was not the case with police authorities.
"What commissioners can do by engaging with the public is to understand their concerns and feed that back to senior officers.”
For a review of the crime commissioner's first year see our special report tomorrow.
