People in Burton and Uttoxeter are being offered the chance to shape the future of policing at the most local level in their communities by Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis.
Local people are invited to join a new Safer Neighbourhood Panel for East Staffordshire borough which will hold Local Policing Team Commanders to account and look at wider criminal justice and community safety issues in their area.
Application forms are available now for people who are interested in joining.
The local panels follow the success of the Ethics, Transparency and Audit Panel (ETAP) which was established as part of an overarching panel in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent as part of the PCC’s ambition to make policing in Staffordshire the most open, transparent and ethical in the country.
Mr Ellis said: “This is a real opportunity for local people to play a part in holding all responsible for policing in their area to account and I’d urge residents to get involved.
“I make no apology for believing that truly local policing, and the public playing a part in influencing that policing is vital.
“You can shape policing at the most local level in your community by joining a Safer Neighbourhood Panel.
“The new spotlight on local policing performance that these panels will bring is invaluable in adding to the rigour I have introduced to overseeing policing.”
Panels are already up and running in other areas including Tamworth, Lichfield and the Staffordshire Moorlands Local residents and councillors sit on the panels with magistrates bringing additional expertise. Panels will influence local policing and community safety, scrutinise the work done by police in their area, give feedback to communities and examine the impact of community resolutions and restorative justice.
Councillor Bernard Peters, ward member for Brizlincote who will sit on the Safer Neighbourhood Panel, said: “This will be an excellent opportunity for the public to ensure the local police force are signed up to community engagement and monitor their performance on local policing issues.”
Volunteers for Safer Neighbourhood Panel roles must be aged over 18, but otherwise the PCC is interested in attracting people from all walks of life irrespective of age, disability and ethnic background.
Anyone interested in applying can find out more here or by emailing susan.panter@staffordshire.pcc.pnn.gov.uk
Around 70 local people who are members of Safer Neighbourhood Panels or ETAP came together for the first Accountability Conference earlier this month in Stafford. The event was hosted by the Commissioner and saw panel members share progress and learning.
