VOLUNTEERS that make up Avon and Somerset police and crime commissioner (PCC) Sue Mountsevens’ Independent Residents Panel are marking the one year anniversary of the initiative this month.
The scheme was introduced by the PCC to make policing more transparent and open.
The Independent Residents Panel has been listed as the third best idea by a PCC in the Guardian.
PCC Sue Mountstevens said: “The aim of the Panel is to challenge the police to uphold more complaints and where appropriate, say sorry in plain English at the earliest opportunity. They then learn from any mistakes by cascading learning across the Constabulary, to then get it right every time.
“I have always been clear there is a standard and expectation from the police and the service they give to residents and in setting up the Panel I saw the hunger from local people to get involved in improving policing.”
The Panel consists of 10 independent residents over the age of 18, who live or work in the Avon and Somerset area and who meet at least quarterly to monitor the Avon and Somerset Constabulary complaints handling process and highlight good practice.
For more information about the Panel visit: http://www.avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk/Take-Part/Residents-Panel-Recruitment.aspx.
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