TERMS OF REFERENCE

HERTFORDSHIRE INDEPENDENT ADVISORY GROUP

March 2008

C/o Diversity Unit

Police Headquarters

Stanborough Road

Welwyn Garden City

Hertfordshire

AL8 6XF

AIMS

To act as a Critical Advisor to Hertfordshire Constabulary, to support the organisation in its stated purpose: ‘To achieve safety, justice and reassurance for all the communities within Hertfordshire’.

‘Independent’ refers to the nature of the advisors and the advice that is provided, rather than the relationship Hertfordshire IAG has with Hertfordshire Constabulary.

Independent advice has been defined as:

Advice given by non-police personnel either on an ad hoc basis or as members of a recognised advisory group.  Their advice is independent of police, and carries no responsibility or liability for outcomes.  Such advisors are not answerable to police, and the police are not responsible for advisors’ actions nor obliged to follow any of the advice they give.  Accordingly they are truly independent.

David Tucker

Detective Chief Inspector

21/06/2001

OBJECTIVES

• To critically appraise organisational policies, practices and procedures
• To make significant contributions to both strategic and tactical considerations, particularly with reference to Critical Incidents
• To make observations both within Hertfordshire Constabulary and the role it plays in the wider community
• To encourage just and fair relations between the Police and the communities they serve, as well as between communities

MAIN OUTCOME

To increase the trust and confidence in policing amongst all communities within Hertfordshire, in particular those from the minority and hard to reach communities.

• MEMBERSHIP

• • The membership of Hertfordshire IAG will be open to individuals who reside, work, or have strong links/reflect communities in Hertfordshire.

• • Membership of the IAG is voluntary and unpaid.

• • Identifying and appointing potential new Hertfordshire IAG members will be the shared decision and responsibility of the IAG and Hertfordshire Constabulary.

• • Hertfordshire IAG will consist of a cross-representation of Hertfordshire’s diverse communities.

• • As a minimum, an open recruitment process will take place once a year.

• • Hertfordshire IAG members can serve for a term of up to four years, renewable on application.  It will be normal for people to serve for no more than two terms (eight years).  At the end of their first term, members must be nominated by another two IAG members when reapplying to continue in their role for a further term.  This application process will be done locally at Area level.

• • Prior to membership, members must agree to be vetted and declare any conflicts of interests that could cause issues of disrepute to Hertfordshire IAG.

• • Members of Hertfordshire IAG may be de-selected by the IAG in the following circumstances:

• The member has failed to attend three consecutive meetings of the IAG without giving an apology or acceptable reason, other than special or urgent meetings
• Failure to fulfil accepted actions or prepare for meetings
• The representative’s membership would undermine the credibility and legitimacy of Hertfordshire IAG or fundamentally weaken aspects of its work
• Any breach of the operating protocols set out within this policy
• The member has broken the Code of Conduct

1.9 If an IAG member commits a criminal offence for which they receive a positive disposal they must inform their Area Chair as soon as possible.  The matter will then be taken to the Executive Committee who will make a decision as to the continuation of their membership.

• CENTRAL, EASTERN & WESTERN AREA IAG

• • The Area IAGs will meet every two months, and dates will be set a year in advance.

• • The aim of the Area IAGs is to provide advice to Hertfordshire Constabulary on Critical Incidents, improving the trust and confidence in Hertfordshire Constabulary, the investigation and prevention of Hate Crime, Police training, Human Resources, service delivery and policy review.

• • Members are expected to allow and encourage all colleagues to fully participate in discussions in an open, free and constructive manner.

• • Minutes will be taken of all IAG meetings.

• • It is a fundamental principle of Hertfordshire IAG that it is opposed to discrimination on the grounds of political opinion, religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age and that it shall not practice such discrimination.  Hertfordshire IAG shall not give a platform to extremist political or religious groups.  Any member who Hertfordshire IAG believes will incite racial hatred or advocate discrimination on the grounds outlined above can be required to resign if a simple majority of the group vote in favour.

• • In order to fulfil its primary purpose of providing independent advice to Hertfordshire Constabulary, Hertfordshire IAG must have access to relevant, up-to-date information.

• • Access to some information may be prohibited by law e.g. Official Secrets Act, Data Protection Act.  Additionally some information may be so sensitive that its divulgence would be inappropriate.  This might include confidential matters relating specifically to individuals, specific intelligence in relation to a proposed sensitive policing operation, or intelligence which might compromise the safety of individuals or the Police or the public at large.

• • Meetings will be held at non-Police premises whenever possible, except for meetings to discuss specific/confidential Police Operations.

• • The number of members required to be physically present to make decisions at Area IAG meetings will be four.

2.10 Hertfordshire IAG needs active participation so members who fail to attend three consecutive meetings in any one year without a satisfactory reason can be asked to resign if the Chair proposes it and the majority of members present agree.

2.11 Each Area Chair and Vice Chair should be voted in annually by each Area group at Area meetings.

• EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

• • The Executive Committee is made up with the three Area Chairs and Vice Chairs, the Deputy Chief Constable and/or the Head of the Diversity Unit, the Community Engagement Officer, and a member of the Police Authority.

• • One representative from each Area IAG may attend an Executive Committee meeting upon request.  The role of the representative is as an observer.  Representatives are able to contribute to discussions, but cannot play a part in any decision making.

• • The Executive Committee will meet every four months.

• • The Executive Committee will not be permitted to make decisions unless all Areas are represented by either the Chair or Vice Chair.

• • The duty of the Executive Committee is to:

• Manage the IAG
• Ensure meetings are planned, and reviews are undertaken of minutes and papers
• Share best practice across the Area IAGs
• Act as a point of contact between meetings
• Make decisions regarding IAG development

• DISSOLUTION PROCEDURE

• • If the Executive Committee, by a simple majority, decides at any time that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the network, it shall call an Extraordinary general meeting of all members of Hertfordshire IAG.

• MISCELLANEOUS

• • IAG members who advise Hertfordshire Constabulary are not liable for the outcomes of Police decision making.

• • Hertfordshire Constabulary are not obliged to follow advice given by members, although appropriate explanations should be given where advice is not taken.

• • It is important to not forget why Independent Advisory Groups were originally set up.  The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report criticised the Metropolitan Police Service for its loss of contact with minority communities.  In order to involve local people in policing matters, the following recommendations were made:

• 2(iv). There should be a degree of multi-agency co-operation and information exchange.

• 50. That police training and practical experience in the field of racism awareness and valuing cultural diversity should regularly be conducted at local level.  And that it should be recognised that local minority ethnic communities should be involved in such training and experience.

(Chapter Forty-Seven, Recommendations)

The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry

February 1999

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