Code of Conduct (> Printable version)

Code of Conduct & Declaration of Interest

Hertfordshire Independent Advisorty Group April 2007

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Members of the Hertfordshire IAG will abide by the seven Nolan Principles of Public Life:

1. Selflessness

Members of an IAG should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.

2. Integrity

Members of an IAG should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.

3. Objectivity

In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, members of an IAG should make choices on merit.

4. Accountability

Members of an IAG are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.

5. Openness

Members of an IAG should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.

6. Honesty

Members of an IAG have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.

7. Leadership

Members of an IAG should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

CONFIDENTIALITY

1. As a member of Hertfordshire Independent Advisory Group, you will necessarily learn of and acquire information that has not yet been made public and is still confidential. It will be regarded as a betrayal of trust to breach such confidences. You should never disclose or use confidential information arising from the work of the Group for the personal advantage of yourself or of anyone known to you, or to the disadvantage or discredit of the Group, Police Service or anyone else.

2. Apart from the breach of trust there may be cause for prosecution under the Data Protection Act (1998) for any unauthorised disclosure of confidential information.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Equal opportunities concerns providing everyone with the same opportunities and treating each person with fairness and impartiality. IAG members have a duty to ensure equality of opportunity and to prevent discrimination. IAG members should draw the attention of the Chair to suspected discriminatory acts or practices or cases of bullying or harassment.

Hertfordshire IAG aim to remove any barriers, bias or discrimination that prevents individuals from becoming members and contributing fully to the Group.

MEDIA

You should not speak directly to the media or represent the views of the Group on any matter relating to your membership of the Group, especially concerning information you are party to as a result of Group membership. Only the chairperson should speak to the media if approached, or a member of the group deputed by the chairperson, and in doing so should seek to represent the views of the Group. The actual content of Group discussions should never be revealed.

IDENTIFICATION

An identification card will be supplied which must be worn when on IAG business only, and this card remains the property of the Hertfordshire Constabulary. If you are no longer a member of the IAG the card must be returned. Your identification should be worn and prominently displayed whenever you are attending police premises.

GIFTS AND HOSPITALITY

1. You will need to treat with caution any offer or gift, favour or hospitality that is made to you personally by anyone knowing you to be a member of the IAG. The person or organisation making the offer may be doing so to obtain information or trying to influence a decision.

2. You are personally responsible for all decisions connected with the acceptance or offer of gifts or hospitality. The prime consideration at all times should be to avoid any risk of damage to public confidence in the IAG.

Disclosure of Interests

1. If you have an interest in a matter arising at a meeting of the IAG or through its work you should always disclose it. Having declared an interest you may be asked to withdraw from the meeting during discussion. It is your personal responsibility to declare an interest in any work of the IAG. It would be prudent to consider whether the public would regard your interest as to be so closely connected with the matter in question, that you could not be expected to put it out of your mind.

2. An opportunity to make a declaration of interest should be given at the start of each meeting, although members can at any point during a meeting declare an interest when it becomes apparent they have one.

3. You should at all times strive to avoid giving any appearance of improper conduct. You should not allow the impression to be created that you are, or may be, using your position to promote a private or personal interest, rather than forwarding the general public interest. You should ask yourself whether members of the public, knowing all facts of the situation, would reasonably think that you might be unduly influenced by a private or personal interest.

4. IAG members should declare any interest, membership, or subscription to any organisation or views on religion, race, sexual orientation, gender or disability inconsistent with the ethos of Hertfordshire Independent Advisory Group.

5. Having made a declaration it will be open to the IAG to decide if the work of the Group requires you to take part in a meeting that is discussing a matter in which you have an interest. If opinion is divided and there is equality of votes the decision of the Chair shall be final.

6. If in doubt about the need to disclose an interest, you should disclose it anyway and take the advice of the Group on whether you should continue to take part in the business under consideration.

Confidentiality Statement:
As an independent advisory group we are solely here for the reflection of minority groups in Herts. WE can therefore give our assurance that any matters raised will be treated in confidence. You are welcome to contact us anonymously if you so wish.

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