Dated: 31 March 2022
POLICY TITLE: Independent Advisory Groups
OWNING DIRECTORATE: Local Policing
AUTHOR: Chief Inspector, Communities and Engagement, Harm Reduction and Communities
CONTACT DETAILS: 101
EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT: Complete
AUTHORISED PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE (APP) NATIONAL GUIDANCE: AVAILABLE
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AIM OF POLICY: The aim of Independent Advisory Groups (IAGs) is to build trust and confidence among diverse communities particularly those that are sometimes described as 'seldom heard'.
BENEFIT OF POLICY: Independent advisors have provided vital advice in a wide range of police operations, from strategic advice about policy decisions to tactical advice in major investigations
REASON FOR POLICY: The aim of IAGs is to build trust and confidence among minority communities
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Northumbria Police is committed to being an anti-discriminatory organisation. Advisors help to make this commitment a reality.
IAGs were first introduced in January 1999 following recommendations from the Macpherson Report into the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry for the police service to develop a method of engagement to better understand their role and impact within the diverse communities they serve. They now form a vital part of police efforts to build trust and confidence among diverse communities, particularly those that are sometimes described as 'seldom heard'.
Joint Engagement Groups have replaced the IAG process in addressing local tensions in Northumbria Police.
The purpose in having these groups and mechanisms is to improve public confidence and openness between Northumbria Police and the communities it serves by seeking advice from all sections of the community, minority and majority groups, who have specific skills, abilities, knowledge or awareness of issues affecting those communities. A primary role in convening Independent Advisors is to ensure Northumbria Police works collaboratively to provide a service that meets the needs of the individuals and communities that it serves.
INDEPENDENT ADVISORY GROUPS IN NORTHUMBRIA POLICE
A three-tier structure of Independent Advisory Groups will operate within the Northumbria Police area:
- Force Level Strategic Independent Advisory Group – This group will consider force-wide strategy and policy. Its aims are to improve public confidence and openness between Northumbria Police and the communities it serves by seeking advice from all sections of the community, minority and majority groups, who have specific skills, abilities, knowledge or awareness of issues affecting those communities with the intention of providing a fair and equitable delivery of services to all.
- Local Area Command Joint Engagement Groups (JEGs) – These groups will work with Area Commanders or Local Neighbourhood Policing Teams to consider local operational and service delivery issues in relation to incidents or events that have a potential community impact. They will endeavour to represent sections of the community, minority and majority groups and have knowledge or awareness of issues affecting those communities.
- Multi Strand Critical Joint Engagement Groups (Critical JEGs) – These groups are convened on an ad-hoc basis, in response to a critical or major incident where the effectiveness of the police response is likely to have a significant impact on the confidence of the victim, their family, and / or wider community.
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SOURCE DOCUMENT: Home Office
GROUPS AFFECTED: All Police Officers and Police Staff
ACCESS AND DISCLOSURE RESTRICTIONS: None
