People are being offered the chance to shape the future of policing at the most local level in their community by Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis.
They are invited to join new Safer Neighbourhood Panels in Lichfield, Stafford and Newcastle which will examine and shape the work of policing, hold Local Policing Team Commanders to account and look at wider criminal justice and community safety issues in their area.
Application forms will be available from next Monday 29 June and the closing date will be 19 July 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.”
Three new panels are being set up in Lichfield, Newcastle and Stafford. Panels are already up and running in Cannock, South Staffordshire and Staffordshire Moorlands and soon every local policing area in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent will have one. 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.
Chief Constable Jane Sawyers, from Staffordshire Police, said: “We welcome the scrutiny of Staffordshire Police’s neighbourhood policing through the implementation of Safer Neighbourhood Panels.
“Through these panels we will be more open and accountable to local people than ever before and communities are encouraged to get involved to find out how we’re policing their local area.
“We’re always looking for new ways to be accessible in the communities we serve and these panels will allow local people to help shape how policing is delivered in their area.”
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. Expenses will be paid.
Anyone interested in applying to join a Safer Neighbourhood panel in their area should register their interest at www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/safer-neighbourhood-panels/
Meanwhile, further opportunities to serve on the Ethics, Transparency and Audit Panel (ETAP) are available. For more information see www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/eta
