A new independent panel that will see local people examine and shape the work of policing in Cannock, Hednesford and Rugeley met for the first time yesterday.
The Cannock Chase Safer Neighbourhood Panel was launched under plans by Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Ellis, to shine the spotlight on local policing.
The new panels will hold to account each of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent’s 11 Local Policing Team Commanders as well as looking at wider criminal justice and community safety issues in their area. The development of countywide and local scrutiny of policing by members of the public is part of Mr Ellis’ ambition to make Staffordshire’s Police Service the most open, transparent and ethical in the UK.
Three successful bids for early adoption – South Staffordshire, Staffordshire Moorlands and Cannock – met this week and will be followed, over the next few months, by the other areas.
Local residents and councillors will 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. The Commissioner is also planning for Safer Neighbourhood Panels to look at some aspects of Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) performance.
Mr Ellis, who attended the panel meeting in Hednesford, said: “The new spotlight on local policing performance that Safer Neighbourhood Panels will bring is invaluable in adding to the rigour my office brings to overseeing policing.
“But it’s more than that. I make no apology for believing that truly local policing, and the public playing a part in influencing that policing, is vital. That’s why Neighbourhood Policing is increasing over coming months and we’re establishing these new panels.”
A Chase Community Safety Partnership spokesperson said: “Chase Community Safety Partnership is keen to be involved in the work of the newly established Safer Neighbourhood Panel and representatives attended the inaugural meeting on 25 March.
“Keeping our communities safe and assured is a key priority for the Community Safety Partnership and we look forward to working with panel members who bring a unique perspective to this important agenda.”
The panels follow the success of the Ethics, Transparency and Audit Panel (ETAP) which was established by the PCC in 2013. The ETAP is made up of trained members of the public and monitors different aspects of performance and standards in policing across
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. ETAP has received national recognition for its work on the police use of Taser, stop and search and crime recording in Staffordshire.
District, boroughs and Stoke-on-Trent City councils are being offered funding by the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner (OPCC) to administer the new Safer Neighbourhood Panels on behalf of the PCC. After a call for expressions of interest in setting up three pilot areas, most councils expressed a willingness to become early adopters.
Mr Ellis added: “There’s a trilogy here which I set out back in 2013. Firstly, effective ‘very local’ oversight by the public of policing.
“Secondly, substantial increases in funding to local councils to help keep their areas safer as well as £2 million extra for community groups to bid through the People Power Fund and Proceeds of Crime Fund supporting simple ideas making areas and people safer.
“Thirdly, helping Staffordshire’s communities to help police in keeping us all safer by promoting and funding services like Crimestoppers and the reinvigorated Neighbourhood Watch with more user friendly real time info, brand new investment and more support from the Staffordshire Police in coordinating the work.”
Anyone interested in applying to be part of future panels on a voluntary basis should register their interest at http://www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/safer-neighbourhood-panels/
For more information on other volunteering opportunities visit http://www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/volunteer/
