If you live or work in Wiltshire and Swindon you are being offered the chance to have a say in the shaping of future crime policy. From November every police force will have an elected police and crime commissioner to decide its priorities and budgets.
To help oversee the work of the commissioner and hold them to account, there will be a police and crime panel made up of local councillors and two independent members of the public. If you want to be one of those independent members you have until July 9 to apply.
Wiltshire and Swindon councils are now looking for two community minded people to undertake the role of the independent members from the summer of 2012 for four years.
Wiltshire Council corporate director, Carlton Brand, said: “We are looking for committed individuals who care passionately about their communities and have skills that could bring great value to the panel. This is a chance for two local people to have a significant say on the very important crime policies that affect their communities.”
The panel will assist the commissioner by providing independent challenge, supporting the commissioner in the exercise of his or her functions and promoting openness in the transaction of police business. The commissioner will be required to consult with the panel on their plans and budgets for policing, as well as the level of precept and the appointment of a chief constable.
For more information about the roles or to apply contact Wiltshire Council’s head of democratic services John Quinton on 01225 713054 or email john.quinton@wiltshire.gov.uk The application form will also be available on the council’s website. And a reminder: the closing date for applications is July 9 2012.
Panel members will be expected to attend meetings four to six times a year and the role is expected to involve one day’s worth of workload a month. (There are likely to be additional meetings in the first year for training and induction). All panel members will be able to claim reasonable travel expenses and will receive induction and other appropriate training.
Panel members must be aged over eighteen and not be the police and crime commissioner or a member of their staff, an MP, MEP or member of a national parliament, a police officer or a civil servant. Elections for the police commissioner take place on November 15 2012.
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