Independent Advisory Groups

Home » Volunteering Opportunities with HIOW Constabulary » Independent Advisory Groups at HIOW Constabulary

Independent Advisory Groups (IAGs) are made up of members of the public who meet to advise and offer ideas to police forces on a wide range of activities relating to local policing.

The main role of an IAG is to act as a ‘critical friend’ to the police. IAGs do not offer expert or specialist advice but exist simply to understand the viewpoints of the community that they represent.

District IAG groups also have the opportunity to support scrutiny panels, asking and exploring how and why police activity has been undertaken or is being considered.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary (HIOWC) has two different types of IAG and members can apply for vacancies in these roles that they would like to take part and support, when advertised.

Every six to eight weeks, each district commander in local policing holds a local IAG which is open to members who reside in that area of the county.

Each district IAG is chaired by an IAG member and attended by the local chief inspector or inspector who works with the group to agree the agenda and points of discussion. The purpose of these is to discuss local issues affecting the community and how HIOWC is performing and problem-solving. These meetings are a two-way discussion aimed at ensuring the community are included in the policing approach for their area.

The strategic IAG is a cohort of IAG members who support with high-level strategic policing challenges and work.

The members are sent opportunities as they arise and can choose what they would like to get involved in. The opportunities can vary but will generally involve being invited to strategic-level meetings to observe and offer a view on the subject being discussed.

Members of the cohort will also be given the opportunity to comment on policy and procedures being implemented, as well as ongoing operational matters which may be impacting communities.

The strategic IAG cohort is invited to attend the Strategic IAG Board which is held quarterly and chaired by the assistant chief constable, where the work of the cohort is discussed, and other policing issues and challenges can be raised for discussion by the police or members of the group.

Please note: not all opportunities will be sent to all SIAG members, some will be sent to a small group of members with relevant experience for the workstream.

You are welcome to apply for both Strategic and District IAG teams. However, you are only able to sit on either the Strategic IAG or one District IAG (according to where you reside).

Keep an eye on the website for opportunities in the future.

If you have a keen interest in policing, we want to hear from you and we are open to constructive criticism and ideas on how we can do things better.

Feel free to email any questions to the team at iag@hampshire.pnn.police.uk