Independent Advisory Groups

Independent Advisory Groups (IAGs) are a way for our communities to work with us to help improve our service. They advise on policing issues that may cause concern to local people and communities.

IAG members are volunteers drawn from our communities from various backgrounds. They have an interest in policing and its effect on our communities and offer independent advice.

There are 6 locations based Independent Advisory Groups:

• South Gloucestershire
• Bath and North East Somerset
• Bristol
• North Somerset
• East Somerset – covering the District Council areas of Mendip and South Somerset
• West Somerset – covering the District Council areas of Sedgemoor, Taunton Deane and West Somerset

There are three further Advisory groups:

• Disability Independent Advisory Group (DIAG) a force-wide group made up of those who reflect the needs of disabled service-users
• Youth Independent Advisory Group (YIAG) a force-wide group made up of young people
• Strategic Independent Advisory Group (SIAG) a force-wide group covering matters of strategic and force-wide significance. It is made up of the Chair Independent Advisors from the 6 IAGs and DIAG

What is the purpose of an IAG?

IAGs have a vital role in helping us build trust, confidence and better relationships, especially with our diverse communities. This underpins our legitimacy.

Our values guide our approach in all that we do, so what our IAGs do is neatly aligned to our values:

Public First

• Act as a ‘critical friend’ in all aspects of interactions between police and the local communities.
• Help formulate and critically appraise police procedures and practices particularly around local equality and diversity issues.

Quality Counts

• Improve the quality of the policing service provided to all, in particular our diverse communities.

Today’s business today

• Make a significant contribution when consulted on planning, management and evaluation of operations and critical incidents.

Professional, friendly and interested

• Instil just and fair relations between the police and the communities they serve, as well as between individual communities.
• Be a barometer of community tensions that may impact on policing specific areas.

What’s involved in being an IAG member?

Who can join – We are keen to expand membership of the IAGs. We would like to hear from people from a variety of different backgrounds, gender, disability, age, race, religion/belief and sexual orientation.

What does it involve – IAG members are expected to represent their communities and be willing and capable of engaging them effectively. The IAGs meet at least 4 times a year but in addition to meetings they may be invited to offer their views on matters that specifically relate to their particular skills or expertise.

One IAG member has explained why she joined, how she has benefited from it and what she has achieved through her role.  Read more here.

How to apply to become a member of an IAG

Potential members should complete their Membership request form and confidentiality agreement. For further information email: LocalPolicingDirectorate@avonandsomerset.police.uk