People from Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are being given the chance to join an independent panel to strengthen public scrutiny of policing in the county.
The Ethics Transparency and Audit Panel (ETAP) is looking for people who have an interest in public service and community safety and have the ability to robustly challenge and scrutinise Staffordshire Police.
ETAP requires more members of the public to join the panel to examine all aspects of policing in Staffordshire including helping to review financial accounts and audit reports. The rigour and scrutiny brought by ETAP has received national recognition.
ETAP was launched under the “New Dawn of Transparency” agenda by Matthew Ellis, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Staffordshire, and aims for policing in Staffordshire to be the most open and transparent in the country.
Members of ETAP receive training and regularly meet to scrutinise and challenge the work of Staffordshire Police. They produce detailed reports on their findings to support the PCC in his oversight of policing
Recent reviews by ETAP, available on the PCC’s website, include a review of low level crime satisfaction levels, an audit of senior officer expenses, how officers deal with mental health incidents, body worn video use and Taser use.
Application forms are available at www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/eta with a closing date of midday on Wednesday 31 May. Interviews for successful candidates are expected to take place on 22 and 23 June.
Mr Ellis said: ‘Honest and independent scrutiny by the public is crucial as we strive to set the bar higher and create a new dawn of transparency in policing.
‘This is about being open and transparent so that public confidence across policing and criminal justice is improved. We’re looking for more members of the public to step forward and get involved in this vital work.’
