Independent Advisory Group (IAG)

The Chair is elected for a term of three years by members of the IAG as per an election process.

Roles & Responsibilities

• The Chair will chair all IAG meetings.
• The Chair will act on behalf of the members at Gloucestershire Constabulary meetings
• The Chair is accountable for the actions of the IAG and will report any activities undertaken on their behalf by ensuring a highlight report is completed and submitted to the relevant Board.
• The most suitable IAG member should endeavour to attend relevant Gloucestershire Constabulary Boards.

As detailed above in support of the chair attending where they are unable to.

Must:

• Be part of the community and resident in Gloucestershire.
• Recognise and consider the expectations, needs and concerns of diverse communities.
• Use their knowledge of community issues to support their advice.
• Be able to be called upon and ideally have flexibility of availability.
• Be independent, providing advice from an external perspective uninfluenced by the police.
• Be independent of each other in order to provide a range of views.
• Be able to work on projects and issues separately but have a remit to come together to jointly discuss these with other advisors.
• Not seek to promote the work of other organisations through their role as advisors.

Will need to:

• Advise on working with different communities in ways which consistently respects fairness and equality.
• Advise on improving trust and public confidence in the police system within Gloucestershire.
• Advise on communication, consultation as engagement with all communities in relation to service delivery.
• Critically appraise Gloucestershire Constabulary actions in relation to policing matters.

• Offering advice and feedback on policy, procedure and strategy.
• Participation in, or evaluation of, training particularly with the aim of raising awareness of issues for minority groups.
• Regular attendance and involvement in meetings and forums within the Constabulary and with communities.
• Involvement in the selection and recruitment of additional Advisors.
• Advising on critical incidents and community impact assessments.

Decision making

• Able to think and reflect at a strategic level on policy and procedures.
• Analyse information provided by the Constabulary and offer a critical appraisement of its potential impact on Constabulary policies and decisions.

Personal values

• Awareness of how their own personal value system may influence the advice they offer to the Constabulary.

Professionalism and feedback

• Act with integrity in the role of an advisor and not disclose confidential information gained through the IAG role.
• Ask for and expect feedback on the advice they give and should learn to use this to develop their own skills and knowledge in the role.

Working with others

• Work cooperatively with other IAs and members of the police service whilst still maintaining their impartiality and ability to offer critical advice.
• Listen carefully and ask questions to clarify understanding, expressing own views positively and constructively.
• Is courteous, polite and considerate, and treats others with respect and dignity.

• Advisors must not use their position to obtain personal advantage
• Advisors must be aware of conflicts of interest when addressing issues and they must declare this from the outset and disqualify themselves from discussion and decisions where they have a conflict of interest. This is to maintain the individual’s and group’s integrity.

• All advisors will be security vetted by Gloucestershire Police.
• Members are required to inform the Vetting team of any changes in personal circumstances that will affect their vetting. The Vetting team will issue a ‘Change in Personal Circumstances Form’ that members are required to complete and submit.
• Without the relevant vetting members will not be able to attend any meetings at Gloucestershire police locations, access any information or be entitled to attend meetings.
• IAG meetings are confidential and sensitive, and it is understood that occasionally members will need to consult with others outside the group in order to seek the views and opinions of the minority communities they communities they come from. Where this is the case, members are required to seek the approval and guidance from the Constabulary on what information can be shared in order to obtain informed feedback.
• Members must not reveal information discussed that could identify any individual whether a member of the group or third party.
• All IAG members are required to read and sign a copy of the Confidentiality Agreement and Code of Ethics.
• Any breaches of the confidentiality arrangements will lead to an investigation and the dismissal of a member where there was evidence a breach had occurred.

• Members are entitled to claim expenses at agreed rates.

• Members are expected to allow and encourage all members to fully participate in discussions in an open, free and constructive manner. They will be courteous to each other and guests, and are expected to show respect for all strands of diversity.
• It is a fundamental principle of the group that it is opposed to discrimination on the grounds of
  • Age
  • Disability
  • Gender reassignment
  • Marriage and civil partnerships
  • Pregnancy and maternity
  • Race
  • Religion or belief
  • Sex
  • Sexual orientation
  • Political opinion and that it shall not practice such discrimination.
• The group shall not give a platform to anyone who will incite hatred or advocate discrimination.  Members will be dismissed from their role if their behaviour breaches this clause.  The chairperson will be responsible for ensuring that members have due respect for others present, and that meetings begin and end on time.

• Members of the IAG will be dismissed from their role for the any of the following reasons:
  • Inappropriate behaviour (Breach of Code of Ethics, Inappropriate language, Lack of respect etc.)
  • Breach of Confidentiality Agreement
  • Failing Vetting Checks
  • Poor Level of engagement and/or contribution
  • Change of circumstances
  • Change of specialism/representation
  • Duty of care
• Members can also chose to leave the IAG for their own reasons. Members who submit their resignation will undergo an exit interview that will be carried out by either the Chair.