IAGs - Nottinghamshire Police Authority

Appendix A
Nottinghamshire Police Independent Advisory Groups (IAGs)
Into the Future - December 2010
Introduction
Over the last 10 years Nottinghamshire Police have developed a robust
structure of IAGs both at a strategic and BCU levels. This structure and
excellent engagement with minority groups was recognised nationally in 2005
at the IAG conference in Cheshire. Since this time both nationally and in
Nottinghamshire, for a number of reasons that have been described
previously, it has been identified that there is a need to review the structure
and business of IAGs.
Earlier this year a number of options were proposed for the future of IAGs in
Nottinghamshire, these were widely consulted upon both internally and
externally, involving IAGs and key stakeholders within the force. Feedback
was varied with many views being expressed. It became clear that there was
a need for IAGs to continue and that the two key roles were around advising
on critical incidents and local policing. There was also concern from the
single diverse strand groups that as part of the review the force might lose the
strategic perspective from specific diverse groups.
Following the initial review and feedback received from earlier this year there
has been a major shift in terms of the future of policing which has led to an
extensive change programme being put in place for the police service in the
UK and in Nottinghamshire. Subsequently strategic direction and a proposed
framework for the future of IAGs were raised and discussed at the national
IAG conference held in Kent in November 2010. The proposals were broadly
agreed and the completed guidance will be taken to the Chief Constables
Council within the next few months.
It must be stressed that there was overwhelming support at the conference
from Chief Police Officers , HMIC, APA, NPIA and IAG members themselves
for IAGs to continue performing an even more valuable and critical role in
challenging and advising the police through a period of significant change. It
was also acknowledged by IAG members and all the key stakeholders that
with reducing budgets and resources in the police service that it was
important to find a way that IAGs could operate efficiently and effectively.
Brief summary of proposals for national IAG structure and framework
The foundation for IAGs to be based on 10 minimum standards :
1. Clarity of role - genuine partnership between force, police authority and
diverse groups
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2. Policy development and impact assessment - form the basis of IAG
consultation
3. Equality standard - IAGs to review, constructively challenge, advise to
progress standard
4. Identify common trends and share best practice - through networks
and Police On Line Knowledge Area (POLKA)
5. Multi social IAGs - recognising IAG members as individuals and not as
a collective group
6. IAG agenda setting - to be jointly set between force, police authority
and IAG
7. Critical incidents - appointment of independent critical incident
advisors (ICIAs)
8. Budgets - small budget for expenses incurred, payment for advice not
recommended
9. Vetting - recommended for strategic IAG and ICIAs, not necessarily
local IAGs
10. Training - limit to familiarisation of force structure, objectives –
necessary training for ICIAs
Other forces and general guidance
It is fair to say that the majority of forces have developed BCU based IAGs
and a force strategic IAG consisting of key members from the BCUs. In
essence this is the model that the national guidance is based on.
Outline Proposals for the future of Police IAGs in Nottinghamshire
Taking into account feedback received (in the summer earlier this year) from
IAGs and key stakeholders in respect of the initial review and options for the
future of IAGs, the impact of the change programme and the national
guidance for the future of IAGs, the following outline proposals are put forward
for consideration and approval by the force.
1. The force adopts the national IAG minimum standards for IAGs in
Nottinghamshire (to be explained in more detail at the consultation
stage)
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2. BCUs develop ‘workable’ geographically based IAGs, ensuring
wherever practicable that the IAGs reflect the communities that it
serves. It is essential that BCUs engage people from minority groups
and diverse backgrounds and wherever possible to include groups
from the 9 protected characteristics, namely age, disability, sex, gender
reassignment, race, religion or belief (or non belief), sexual orientation,
marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity.
3. The force develops a structure of Independent Critical Incident
Advisors (ICIAs), not necessarily confined to IAG members, to include
people from ‘communities of interest’ and ‘communities of place’ such
as individuals from volunteer groups, public services and professional
bodies.
4. The force develops a multi strand strategic IAG, to consist of
representatives from the BCU IAGs and includes people from minority
and diverse groups (as above, consider groups from 9 protected
characteristics).
5. The force develops a network of virtual IAGs, to represent specific
groups e.g. this could be a minority or diverse group or a group with a
special interest such as e.g. gun and knife crime or immigration
matters.
6. The force ensures that necessary resources are provided to manage
and oversee IAGs.
Next steps
IAGs will be consulted on the proposals at the IAG Seminar on 13 th January
2011, followed by a final paper to be approved by the Equality, Diversity &
Human Rights Strategic Board in March 2011, with the expectation that an
agreed IAG structure is to be implemented on 1st April 2011.
Further details on the above proposals plus suggested roles and
responsibilities of key individuals at BCU and force levels will be shared with
IAGs and key stakeholders for consideration in January 2011.
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