Police Independent Advisory Groups (IAG) act as a critical friend to the force, ensuring policing practices are carried out with legitimacy and professionalism and where necessary, action is taken. 

IAGs were formed in response to the Stephen Lawrence enquiry to help forces become more responsive and responsible to communities whose experiences and voices would help the police improve their understanding of diversity and inclusion.

IAGs are made up of people from all different walks of life. They are independent to the police but all have a vested interest in their local area and support those living, working and visiting the county. Like the police, they prioritise community safety but aim to do this by improving and challenging the police service.

Members of IAGs have different specialisms and life experience. From working with the homeless to representing hard to reach communities, the aim is to represent our communities and ensure that they’re not only heard, but really listened to. Community representatives on the IAG are there to… 

• Improve trust and confidence within the community,

• Provide a forum for the community to help shape service delivery,

• Enable Cheshire Police to develop current policies and procedures that are both accessible and transparent,

• Increase engagement with communities and encourage their voices to be heard,

• Act as a ‘critical friend’ to scrutinise policing and policy decisions and debrief incidents and operations.

If you would like to be part of the conversation with Cheshire Constabulary about the possibility of the creation of a Cheshire IAG please contact Angharad.Cartwright@cheshire.police.uk (please note this email address is not monitored 24/7 and is not for reporting crimes or recording complaints – crimes and incidents should be reported via 999 if urgent, if not urgent then call 101, email: publiccontact@cheshire.police.uk or visit www.cheshire.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/)