Mr Downing has been an independent (co-opted) member of the Bedfordshire Police & Crime Panel since late 2020. 

He has been Chair since June 2023.

He is and has been involved in local (Bedfordshire based) charities including YouTurn Futures, Central Bedfordshire Healthwatch, Groundwork, and YMCA.

He had a career in policing that included a period seconded to the College of Policing and on retirement worked as a policing consultant whilst separately filling a role on a Parish Council before being elected as a Ward Councillor in Central Bedfordshire. In that role he Chaired the Bedfordshire Fire Authority, served on the Police & Crime Panel and represented the council on Citizens Advice.

He believes that members of the PCP should openly challenge as well as support the PCP and that, his policing background combined with the charity work and knowledge of local authority working greatly assists his role on the PCP.