Derbyshire Constabulary & Independent Advisory Group (IAG) COMPACT This Compact is a commitment to continually improve relationships between Derbyshire Constabulary and Independent Advisory Group (IAG) representing service users (customers). This document is a practical tool to achieve this.
Derbyshire Constabulary Foreword "The Independent Advisory Group is well established in Derbyshire and provides a valued link between the Police and our communities. They ensure that our polices, practices and procedures are delivered in a fair and appropriate way. The IAG assist the Force in a variety of ways, from strategic direction to advice on specific operational incidents. I welcome the publication of this Compact as a helpful framework within which our IAG will operate. The Compact outlines what our IAG do and also how they will do it. I value the relationship the Force has with our IAG and I look forward to a continued commitment to work together." Mick Creedon Chief Constable Signed Independent Advisory Group Foreword We are delighted to present the new Compact that has been developed by Derbyshire Constabulary and the IAG. The IAG was formed in response to the recommendations of the MacPherson report and has since evolved to support Derbyshire Constabulary in their ongoing commitment to providing a high-quality policing service to everyone in Derbyshire. The Compact reaffirms a shared commitment to building trust and confidence amongst communities byworking in partnership to ensure policing policy, procedure and practices safeguard against disadvantaging communities through a lack of understanding, ignorance or mistaken belief. This shared commitment reflects the shared values of the force and the IAG of Integrity, Respect, Performance, Responsibility and Innovation. The Compact defines the roles and formalises the relationship between the Constabulary and the IAG group and will hopefully lead and inform a greater level of partnership working in the future. Carl Willis On behalf of the IAG Group Signed
What is the Independent Advisory Group (IAG)? Policy Development & Impact Assessment The role of the IAG is not one of scrutiny, but ensures the policy, procedure and practices of the Derbyshire Constabulary meets the strategic aims of the Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Strategy and provide a safeguard against disadvantaging any section of our communities through the lack of understanding, ignorance and mistaken belief by the service, as set out by Macpherson. Vision To support Derbyshire Constabulary in their commitment to providing a high-quality policing service to everyone in Derbyshire. Aims To work as partners with the police service to Increase trust and provide constructive independent advice on the quality of service delivery to all communities. Values In support of Derbyshire Constabulary we will adopt the following core values to deliver our vision. Integrity -We are open and honest. Our relationship with our communities, our partners and each other is based on trust. Respect - We respect and value everyone at every level of the organisation. Valuing our differences is one of our strengths. Performance - We aim for the highest possible standard. We want to do the right thing every time. We work to get the best out of all that we have and we celebrate our achievements. Responsibility - We take responsibility for what we do, as individuals and team members. We work together and support each other to put our communities at the heart of everything we do. Innovation - We will be courageous to meet the most difficult challenges and adapt to new and developing situations.
Minimum Standards The following set of minimum standards provides the police service strategic direction to develop the IAG model for the future, enhancing community consultation in policy development and impact assessment nationally; making an important contribution towards engaging with communities and providing the foundation of building trust and confidence. 1. Clarity of Role The police force and IAG must form a genuine partnership, encouraging the active involvement of people from diverse groups to provide independent personal views and perceptions. 2. Policy Development & Impact Assessment Policy, practice and procedure which impact upon the delivery of the EDHR Strategy for the police service, should form the basis of IAG consultation, ensuring the outcomes safeguard against disadvantaging any section of our communities. 3. Equality Standard for the police service IAGs should review, constructively challenge and provide independent advice on the systems and processes developed to progress the ESPS. This is not a scrutiny role as undertaken by the Police Authority but offers development of the ESPS using community insight. 4. Identifying common trends and sharing best practice Through the existing Confidence and Equality Practitioner Networks, and the Police Online Knowledge Area, IAGs will be able to identify trends and share best practice nationally providing vital two-way communication with stakeholders and ACPO. 5. Multi Social Identity IAG IAG advice is given individually by members and not as a collective group. The IAG group provides an ideal forum for chief officers and police authorities to engage with members in open dialogue, receiving a range of individual points of view and perceptions surrounding policy, practice and procedure which impacts on the delivery of the strategic ambitions within the EDHR strategy for the police service. There is not a requirement for IAG members to agree as a collective group on the advice given, and as such IAGs formed from a range of different strands of diversity offer chief offers and police authorities the most beneficial forum in which to engage, providing a wide range of perceptions which will help to guard against disadvantaging any section of our community through lack of understanding, ignorance or mistaken belief. 6. Training Training of IAG members should be limited to familiarisation around the force structure and strategic objectives. Training around critical incidents is deemed necessary to enable the police to get the best from their advisors during a live critical incident.
Equality and Diversity The term diversity describes differences in racial or ethnic classifications, age, gender, religion, philosophy, physical abilities, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, gender identity, intelligence, mental health, physical health, genetic attributes, behavior, attractiveness, or other identifying features The term equality relates toeliminating discrimination and providing the same opportunities for everyone. In order to achieve equality, we must recognise the differences in people and acknowledge their different needs Promoting equality and respecting diversity are the foundations to creating greater community confidence in the police. IAGs have a pivotal role to play in the delivery of the Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Strategy for the police service, providing senior police officers with the opportunity to have open dialogue with members of the community, from a range of backgrounds. Derbyshire Constabulary is subject to the public sector equality duty which is set out in Section. 149 of the Equality Act 2010. Those subject to the duty must, in the exercise of their functions, have due regard to the need to Eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation Advance equality of opportunity between different groups Foster good relations between people between different groups The new duty protects a number of personal characteristics; the protected characteristics are: Age Disability Gender reassignment Pregnancy and maternity Race Religion and belief Sex (gender) Sexual orientation The main purpose of the equality duty is to integrate consideration of equality and diversity into the day to day activities of the public sector organisations. The duty requires Derbyshire Constabulary to reflect equality considerations into the design of policies and service delivery, including internal policies, and for these issues to be kept under review. The two main impact areas where the IAG can help Derbyshire Constabulary comply with the equality duty are Consultation and The two main impact areas where the IAG can help Derbyshire Constabulary comply with the equality duty are Consultation and Critical Incidents.
Consultation Consultation is the process by which the public's input on matters affecting them is sought. It is a two way flow of information and exchange of opinion as well as participation of interested parties in the drafting of policies and or decision making. Consultation and engagement with the IAG in the context of the equality duty will inform the assessment of the impact of policies and functions on the communities of Derbyshire. Membership of the IAG is reflective of the community rather than representative and where more detailed consultation is required with specific protected groups this will be facilitated by the Force Outreach Worker. More can be achieved for Derbyshire by involving the IAG in day-to-day policing activities, policies and performance. However it is acknowledged that lack of time, resources and flexibility may affect involvement. Together we will: Provide a framework that enables people to get involved in decision-making early enough to make a real difference Recognise that service providers, service users, carers and campaigning organisations each have different needs Offer a minimum of twelve weeks for formal consultations, taking holiday periods into account Encourage quality in how consultation is designed, carried out and used Remind everyone of their responsibility to encourage wider involvement in decision making, particularly in relation to policies and performance. Remind IAG members of their responsibility to remain independent and objective. The IAG also provides a unique and qualitative opportunity for resourcing opportunities to compliment the aims and objectives of Derbyshire Constabulary s Learning & Development Department. The Compact will again draw on the many examples of national and local good practice in involving communities in learning and development to address: Maximising opportunities for learning and development within voluntary and community organisations for Police Officers and police staff How the voluntary and community sector effectively contribute towards Derbyshire Constabulary s learning and development needs How the voluntary and community sectors can continue to meet the learning and development needs of Derbyshire Constabulary in the future, in particular capacity building. Together, Derbyshire Constabulary and the IAG will provide a source of good practice on existing laws and ways of working. The Compact will also consider issues of Rural & Social Isolation Encourage involvement through use of plain language Recognise where additional support is required to engage other groups in police learning.
Critical Incidents The IAG acts as a valuable resource for Derbyshire Constabulary and policing in Derbyshire. Ongoing independent advice and well-formed community relations should seek to prevent avoidable critical incidents, but where such incidents have occurred, advisors can perform a valuable role. As well as advising on issues such as community relations, and the sensitivities of proposed actions, they can also provide insight into public perceptions and possibly even act as a conduit to avoid damaging rumour and misinformation. The Compact will draw on the many examples, particularly high profile cases of community involvement in critical incidents to address: Acknowledging the valuable contribution voluntary and community organisations make in dealing with critical incidents in Derbyshire Responding and feeding back on intelligence provided by communities relating to critical incidents How the voluntary and community sectors, and wider community can more effectively contribute towards Critical Incidents Encourage openness and transparency Encourage appropriate and proportionate involvement in Critical Incidences Encourage appropriate and proportionate involvement in Gold Groups Ensuring Derbyshire Constabulary and the IAG abide by the Independent Advisory Group Memorandum of Understanding (Appendix 1) in relation to all critical incidents. Publicity & Promotion To raise the profile of the role of the IAG, the Compact and to publicise the work that Derbyshire Constabulary and the IAG have developed together the following methods of communication will be used: Use of the Intranet Features on the Website Where appropriate local media methods will be employed Creation and circulation of IAG Handbook Publication of IAG objectives and Annual report
Operating Protocol Rationale - the basis of policing by the Derbyshire Constabulary is one of consent. In order to ensure that the good relationship currently enjoyed between the Constabulary and the Communities not only continues but also develops, the Constabulary must continue to embrace the challenges and changes that confront it. The involvement of independent, community advisors underpins these aspirations. 1. Any disclosures of a personal nature at any Independent Advisory Group meeting or an operational incident will be dealt with in the strictest confidence. In addition the group will work within the remits of the Data Protection Act. 2. The Independent Advisory Group will meet quarterly and hold special or emergency meetings as and when required. 3. Every meeting will be documented. The minutes will contain only brief summaries, decisions, actions, formal advice or recommendations. 4. Police Officers with relevant responsibilities e.g. recruitment, training, investigation etc are eligible to attend meetings. 5. Any statement to the Press, or other news media, regarding the working and activities of the Independent Advisory Group, should be agreed and approved by the group members. Any such activity, which is part of a member s involvement with a spontaneous or critical incident, should be with the agreement of the Chair. 6. The IAG process must be ethical and be seen to be so. The following ethics protocol should ensure that the IAG meets the rigorous standards expected in public life: i. A register of interests will be maintained. ii. iii. iv. All pecuniary interests will be made known. The member shall make this known immediately to the meeting and this fact recorded in the minutes. If such a declaration is made the meeting will determine to what extent that member continues to participate. Under no circumstances are members to use their position as IAG members to further or advantage their own pecuniary interest. v. Each member must respect the diverse backgrounds and views of the membership and operate in a prejudice free manner. vi. A member must declare if she/he has a personal interest in a particular case.
Disclosure of information to the IAG The following information will routinely be made available to panel members to assist in meeting their aims and objectives: Statistical reports of Hate crime incidents (exception reporting) Equality information on operationaloperationaloperationaloperationaloperationaloperationaloperationalop erational service delivery and workforce data Details of specific incidents (which may have been slightly altered to prevent the identification of individuals) There may be occasions where it is necessary for the police to share information about individuals for the furtherance of the agreed aims and objectives. This information is subject to the Data Protection Act 1998 and other legal obligations, such as a duty of confidence, may also apply. IAG Membership Criteria The criteria for membership of the Independent Advisory Group includes people who: Can effectively and consistently contribute to the development of quality advice. Are willing and able to devote time and personal commitment. Have a clear understanding of the importance of the role. Will take part to further the interests of the community. Are willing for their involvement to be made known to the wider public. Are able to maintain effective, consistent and constructive scrutiny of the Derbyshire Constabulary and Derbyshire Criminal Justice Board. Have and continue to demonstrate commitment to eliminate all forms of discriminatory practices. Have no serious convictions or serious allegations against them for criminal offences Are willing to undergo basic security checks as per Force policy. The Assistant Chief Constable, Force Diversity Manager, Criminal Justice Board member and Force Diversity Advisor Posts are standing members on the group. Other Police Officers may be invited as appropriate.
Executive Committee The elected officers of the IAG will consist of a Chair and Vice-Chair and elections will take place once a year; this group will be the Executive Committee. The Chair and Vice-Chair shall be elected by those present and voting at the meeting. The term of office for executive members is one year. They may apply to serve more than one term. The duty of the Executive Committee will be to Manage the IAG Ensure meetings are planned, reviews are undertaken of the minutes Act as point of contact between meetings Process for the de-selection of IAG members Criteria for supporting de-selection of members from the IAG may include: The member constantly fails to fulfil the IAG s agreed actions or prepare for meetings. The member fails to give good reason for failing to attend meetings. The member offers their resignation. The member is convicted of a serious criminal offence (other than a minor traffic offence). The member is under investigation for a serious criminal offence. The member s conduct is such that the group feel that it is harmful to the working relationship of the group. The Chair can be de-selected with a vote of no confidence by simple majority of members. The decision of the Chair is final when deciding whether a member is to be deselected.