A Stafford woman Mrs Susan Westacott is the latest person to join the independent panel established by Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis to strengthen public scrutiny of policing.
The county-wide Ethics, Transparency and Audit Panel was established by the Commissioner in 2013 under his ‘New Dawn of Transparency’ agenda. It is made up of members of the public who have become expert citizens and has received national recognition for its scrutiny of the police use of Taser, stop and search and crime recording in Staffordshire.
Susan is currently working part-time on a voluntary basis for the Red Cross and is a Rotary Club member. Prior to Susan’s retirement in 2012 she was an Assistant Director at Wolverhampton City Council. She is a qualified solicitor and holds an MSc in Public Sector Management. Susan has worked as a senior manager for a number of large public sector organisations.
Sue said: “I am looking forward to adding my skills to an experienced and talented panel that helps promote public confidence in policing in Staffordshire.”
Mr Ellis said: “It was good to meet and welcome the new panel members who I am sure will strengthen ETAP’s vital work. 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 panel has used its wide-ranging and rigorous powers to scrutinise crime recording, forensics, Taser use, and stop and search to make sure decisions made by the police are correct and in the best interests of the public. It’s about being open and transparent so that public confidence across policing and criminal justice is improved.”
Staffordshire people interested becoming an ETAP member – who must be aged 18 or above – should visit www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/eta
Following ETAP’s success, local Safer Neighbourhood Panels have been launched across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent so that people can influence policing in their communities and help hold local police commanders to account at the most local level. They are made up of local residents, local councillors and magistrates and meet regularly with their area’s local policing commander.
The panels influence local policing and community safety, scrutinise the work done by police in the area, give feedback to their community and examine the impact of community resolutions and restorative justice where they live.
To find out more visit http://www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/safer-neighbourhood-panels/
