Final Report of the Morris Inquiry: The Case for Change

GOVERNANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY AND SCRUTINY
The role of the Independent Advisory Group
6.55 The Independent Advisory Group (IAG) also discharges a scrutiny role over
the MPS. The IAG was originally set up to advise the MPS’ Racial and Violent Crime
Task Force on any aspect of policing that impacts on minority ethnic communities.
Its area of influence has increased and it is now able to impact on the policing
debate in all areas of the MPS.
6.56 This strategic IAG has been joined by a Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender
Advisory Group, a Youth Advisory Group and a Disability Issues Advisory Group.
There are also separate Advisory Groups for Operation Trident (gun crime) and a
sub-group of the strategic IAG advises the Child Protection OCU.
6.57 In addition, 27 of the 32 Boroughs Commands now have IAG structures and
those without IAGs are being encouraged to develop them.
6.58 As Commander Allen of the Diversity directorate said in his submission to us:
“Independent advice has become a key mechanism by which we improve decision-making and
operational outcomes. There has been direct IAG involvement in over 370 cases, including
some of the most high profile, e.g. the siege at Hackney in 2003. In addition the groups provide
a constant source of advice and challenge around policy and practice across the organisation.”
6.59 Commander Allen provided us with a document, Independent Advisory Group –
Protocols May 2001. This defines ‘Advisors’ as:
“Those people who are:
● Able to critically appraise police policies and practices
● Able to make dispassionate, measured, considered and ethical assessment of what
they experience
● Able to bring relevant expertise, experience and integrity
● Able to reason and willing to articulate their views
● Able to represent the views and commanding the respect of the communities policed
● Committed to the improvement of community - police relations
● Able to exercise judgement/discretion re: conflict of interest.”
6.60 Our terms of reference ask us to inquire into the policies, procedures and
practices of the MPS in relation to complaints and allegations against individuals.
Since members of the IAG have been used to give advice on investigations of visible
ethnic minority officers, their work falls within our remit.
6.61 We were extremely impressed with the representatives of the IAG who gave
evidence to us. We were also impressed with the evidence of the members of the
Lay Advisors Group (LAG), which assisted the MPS in relation to Operation Helios,
the investigation into Superintendent Ali Dizaei. We found members of both groups
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