Equality and Human Rights: Volunteering Opportunity

Join the South Wales Police Strategic Independent Advisory Group

The South Wales Police Strategic Independent Advisory Group (IAG) performs the vital role of a ‘critical friend’ in relation to our policies and processes. It allows us to coproduce the service we deliver with the communities we serve.

It is a forum where independent members of the community can offer advice based on their knowledge and lived experience of equality and human rights issues in policing and contribute to making South Wales a safer, more cohesive place.

The role of the IAG is to provide informal scrutiny and advice on our service with a particular focus on ensuring we understand and are able to respond to the needs of all our communities.

We need people with a passion, commitment and understanding of equality and human rights to help us at a local level working with our three operational teams covering Cardiff and the Vale, Mid Glamorgan, and Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.

We also need our ‘critical friends’ to assist us at a strategic level providing advice, through our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team, for the Chief Constable and the senior leaders across our force.

We need the membership of the Strategic IAG to be as representative as possible of the diverse communities across our three policing areas, in line with the Equality Act 2010. As such, will be looking to draw membership from each of the three areas that can offer localised experience of the protected characteristics listed in the Act.

Role Profile

As an IAG member your independent views will help South Wales Police shape police service provision and help build stronger relationships with diverse communities. You will agree to:

• Take part in quarterly meetings as a member of the Group;
• Provide the Police with independent advice about specific issues identified and agreed by the Police and IAG;
• Provide guidance, personal insight and constructive challenge reflecting your perspective as a member of the community;
• Provide independent advice on issues that potentially impact on community cohesion in the South Wales area including policies, practices, procedures and critical incidents;
• Where appropriate, act as an Independent Critical Incident Advisor for operational Police (not a compulsory requirement);
• Retain a good working relationship with other IAG members, South Wales Police personnel and any other interested parties; and
• Potentially undertake a wider variety of advisory roles e.g. sitting on groups looking at Stop and Search or employment diversity issues.

Person Specification

Candidates for the role of IAG member must satisfy the following criteria:

• Not be a serving police officer or member of police staff for South Wales Police or the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) or any other Police Force or PCC;
• Must live or work within the South Wales Police area;
• Be willing to attend meetings within the South Wales area;
• Must be granted vetting clearance (criminal convictions will not necessarily lead to you being denied vetting clearance; each application will be considered individually);
• Must be willing to contribute time, energy and commitment to attend regular meetings;
• Be committed to making a difference to the way that policing services are delivered;
• Must be willing to work constructively with the Police, and other IAG members;
• Demonstrate the ability to listen to and consider the views of others and treat all people fairly and with dignity and respect;
• Avoid prejudice and discrimination and demonstrate a commitment to equality and human rights principles;
• Must abide by the College of Policing Code of Ethics;
• Be able to demonstrate strong links with particular communities in the policing area;
• Must be able to deal with and appropriately manage confidential information;
• Demonstrate the ability to question, challenge, weigh up issues and make balanced, reasonable and proportionate judgments.

If you think you can help make a difference to policing in South Wales, download this application form today:

Application form

Alternatively, email the Equality and Diversity Team: [email protected]

Please return your completed applications to [email protected] by Friday 19th February 2021.

If you would like to discuss joining the IAG please contact [email protected].

This document can be provided in other formats such as large print, braille, audio and by email. Please contact the Equality and Diversity Team as above to obtain alternative accessible formats.