The Police and Crime Commissioner has a legal duty to seek the views of local people about their policing priorities. Throughout the year, we offer people a variety of different ways to become involved, and have their say. This includes: postal and on-line surveys, meetings, focus groups and independent advisory groups.
The Commissioner currently has two Independent Advisory Groups (IAGs). These groups are people recruited from the community and have no connection with the police service.
IAGs provide the valuable role of critical friend to the Police Force / Police and Crime Commissioner, not as an independent group but as a forum where Independent advisors can give independent advice on the development and review of policy, procedure and practices identified by the Police and Police and Crime Commissioner in partnership with the IAG. The role is not one of formal scrutiny, but ensures the policies, procedures and practices of the Force meet the strategic aims of the Equality Diversity and Human Rights (EDHR) strategy and provide a safeguard against the service disadvantaging any section of the community through lack of understanding, ignorance or mistaken beliefs.
There is currently 2 force wide IAGs operating, at the strategic level, for:
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Black and Minority Ethnic Communities (BME)
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Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Communities (LGB&T)
Any advice provided at the IAGs is co-ordinated by the lead Authority Member responsible for community engagement and taken to the Force Citizen Focus Board to decide upon tasking out the appropriate course of action.
If you require further information about the IAGs or you are interested in taking part in these groups please contact us.