Volunteers are wanted to help provide Warwickshire Police with independent advisers, boosting the links between the community and the force.

Independent Advisory Groups (IAGs) exist to act as critical friends to the police, comprising ordinary members of the public who meet every two to three months to offer impartial advice on a range of different issues. Members may also be called in to provide their expertise on big incidents or issues as the need arises.

IAGs have been integral in providing advice and guidance to the police on a range of local issues, including the impact of critical incidents, as well as decisions around force policy and procedures on the use of firearms, Tasers and Stop and Search.

Warwickshire Police wants to find additional volunteers to join its local IAGs in Stratford District; Nuneaton, Bedworth and North Warwickshire; Rugby District and Warwick District, as well as for the separate groups covering the ‘protected characteristics’ which are run jointly with West Mercia Police: the Disability IAG, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender IAG and the Black & Minority Ethnic IAG.

Any member of the local community, subject to vetting, who has an interest in policing and its effects and is prepared to give independent criticism and advice on policing matters is welcome to join any of the groups.

It’s important that IAGs are comprised of people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences; often the best members are people who have not previously had their voices heard within the community, who can give their honest opinion if there are issues of concern.

Anyone interested in joining the IAGs should contact Jo-An Golding on 01926 415141 or email jo-an.golding@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk. For more information on the work of IAG’s, visit https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/iag. 

Source: Warwickshire PCC