Independent Scrutiny Scheme

Application Pack

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Contents

Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

• General Information

Application

• Person Specification• Role Description• Application Form• Equality Monitoring Form

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Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

General Information

• The Police and Crime Commissioner covers Devon (including Torbay and Plymouth), Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

• The Police and Crime Commissioner is elected to the role by the communities of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

The Devon & Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) will:

• Be singularly accountable to you for the policing of Devon and Cornwall.

• Listen to your views on community safety and set priorities in a plan for the police which address community concerns.

• Ensure the Chief Constable directs police officers and resources to tackle the things that you say are important.

• Set the strategic direction for policing but not interfere with day-to-day police operations or tactics.

• Balance local needs of the public and victims against assisting national policing responsibilities.

• Appoint and, in extreme circumstances dismiss the Chief Constable.

Who checks the decisions being made?

Although the PCC is an elected individual their decisions will be scrutinised by a Police and Crime Panel (PCP) who can also call the PCC and Chief Constable to public hearings. In addition the Panel will have a power of veto over council tax precept levels and appointments of Chief Constables. These are powers that the PCP can use as a last resort. The Government expects the relationship between the PCC and the PCP to be one of support and challenge.

PCPs comprise of one elected representative from each local authority within the force area. Both top-tier and district councils will be represented. The PCP will also include two independent members.

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PERSON SPECIFICATION

INDEPENDENT SCRUTINY PANEL MEMBER

Essential

1. Be 18 years of age or over, able to pass Non Police Personal Vetting.

2. Live or work in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and have lived in the UK for three years prior to application.

3. Have the ability to travel to attend meetings and site visits.

4. Flexible, reliable and have sufficient time to undertake the role of a scrutiny panel member.

5. Be an effective communicator both verbally and in writing, able to communicate ideas and information to a range of audiences clearly and concisely and with an appropriate style for the audience.

6. Be able to challenge information in a respectful and positive manner individually and as part of a team.

7. The ability to review and scrutinise a range of information (e.g. performance information, reports and policies).

8. Hold equality, diversity and human rights in high regard, showing respect for the opinions, circumstances and feelings of colleagues and members of the public regardless of their background, status or protected characteristics.

9. Able to demonstrate an independent and impartial view of policing and issues relating to policing.

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10. Able to maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to policies, procedures and legislation (e.g. the Data Protection Act 2000) with a commitment to continued personal development.

Desirable

1. Has an interest in exploring a wide range of policing matters.

2. Has an interest in public accountability and good governance.

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ROLE DESCRIPTION

INDEPENDENT SCRUTINY PANEL MEMBER

Key duties and responsibilities:

1. To attend scrutiny panel meetings to scrutinise performance information relating to how Devon and Cornwall Police exercise the use of some of their legal powers, and to attend other associated activities (e.g. site visits). There will be four formal panel meetings per year.

2. To attend scrutiny panel meetings to plan task and finish thematic reviews and to decide on the panel’s findings and recommendations for the Police and Crime Commissioner. There will be four informal meetings per year.

3. To scrutinise information about Devon and Cornwall as an organisation independently and objectively, and as a panel to provide key findings and recommendations to the Police and Crime Commissioner for consideration.

4. To work at all times with respect for the operational independence of the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police.

5. To complete and submit expense claims in line with the scheme guidelines.

6. To attend continuous professional development training events as requested by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Scrutiny Lead Officer.

7. To carry out all duties of an independent scrutiny panel member having due regard to the health and safety requirements of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

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8. To notify the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Scrutiny Lead Officer of any changes to your contact details as soon as practicable or any changes which may affect your ability to carry out your role impartially.

9. Not to disclose details about any information considered by you/the panel to any person or third party (relevant information for use in the public domain will be prepared with the panel and published by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner).

10. Not to disclose details about any information considered by you/the panel on social media, to the press or any other media outlet.

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Office of the Police and Crime CommissionerDevon and Cornwall

Application FormIndependent Scrutiny Panel Member

-------------------------------Please specify which volunteer role you are applying for: Independent Scrutiny Panel Member

Please specify which Department you wish to apply for: Devon and Cornwall Independent Scrutiny Panel Member

Completed application forms should be emailed to: OPCC@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.ukAlternatively, should you be unable to complete the form electronically, please send to:OPCCAndy Hocking HouseAlderson DriveExeterEX2 7RP

Should you have any queries please contact the team via Telephone: 01392 225572 or email as above.

To be completed by Devon and Cornwall OPCC:Name of Scheme Manager: Vicky Booty 97180

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APPLICATION FORM – VAC4292INDEPENDENT SCRUTINY PANEL MEMBERYou should complete all sections of this form in person, either in type-face or black ink. Use continuation pages where allowed and clearly mark which questions they refer to. Please put your full name at the top of each continuation sheet. Sections which do not apply to you should be clearly marked N/A. Please refer to the Eligibility and Guidance notes on page 14-15 prior to completing this form. Data Protection ActThe information you provide in this application form will be entered into a manual filing system and onto a computerised recruitment system and as such is covered by the rules set out by the Data Protection Act 1998. The data will be used to assess your suitability as a Police Support Volunteer and may be shared by other forces in the United Kingdom in respect of any recruitment applications you make. The information you provide

may also be shared with other police related organisations for monitoring purposes. Section 1 About YouTitle       Forename(s)       Surname      (Mr, Ms, Mrs, Miss, Dr)Surname at Birth       Previous Surnames      

Place of Birth (Town and Country)      

Maiden name       Date of Birth       Age      (if different)Current Address      

Postcode       Date of Occupancy      (month/year)

Email Address (if applicable)      Telephone Numbers Home       Mobile      (including area code)

Eligibility Guidance Notes : In order to maintain independence of the Scheme, applications cannot be considered from serving police officers, police staff, members of the Office and Police and Crime Commissioner or Justices of the Peace (Magistrates). Please also see pages 14-15.Do you have a current validFull UK driving licence? YES/NOAre you currently a Police Officer, Police Community SupportOfficer, serving in the Special Constabulary or a member ofPolice staff? YES/NO Are you currently a member of a Police and Crime Panel or aMember of staff of a Police and Crime Commissioner YES/NO

Are you a serving Justice of the Peace (Magistrate) YES/NO

Are you related to, or have a close personal relationship/friendship Name…………..……………....With anyone working for the police? Please state their name, Status…………………………..Status with the organisation and relationship with you Relationship …………………..Other than listed above do you have any direct or indirect Involvement in the criminal justice system? YES/NO if yes please give details

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Are you a relative or associate or member of any extremist group?Do you have contact with or support by any means the activities of YES/NO if yes please give detailsAny group pursuing extremist aims? These include Animal Rights orEnvironmental groups, and those holding extreme Left or Right WingPolitical views that may contradict the duty to promote race equality?

Do you have access to electronic technology (i.e. computer, tablet or mobile phone) to send and receive e-mails and communicate with in relation to this role YES/NOAre you able to undertake two visits per month which will include occasional evenings and weekends?Are you able to attend Panel meetings four times a year YES/NOAre you able to attend the annual meeting and training events once a year YES/NO

This role requires that you are vetted by the police in order to access custody suites, are you happy to undertake the vetting process? YES/NO

NationalityIn order to be eligible, you must be a British citizen or a member of the EC/EEA. Commonwealth citizens and foreign nationals who are resident in the UK and free from restrictions are also eligible to apply.

What is your nationality? If a Commonwealth citizen or a foreign national is your stay in the UK free of restrictions?

Yes No If a Commonwealth citizen or a foreign national, you must include a copy of your Passport which shows that your stay in the UK is free of restrictions.

Photocopy of passport enclosed? Yes No

DisabilityThe Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful to discriminate against a disabled person in all areas of employment, including recruitment. The Police Service welcomes people with disabilities and will do its best to make adjustments to the working arrangements and/or the working environment provided it is reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.Do you have a disability you wish us to know about at this stage, including any learning difficulty such as dyslexia? (See note 3 for definition) Yes No In support of your application, please let us know if you believe there are any reasonable adjustments we should be making to enable you to do the job or assist with your application.

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Criminal History

Have you ever been convicted for any offence or had formal cautions by police for any offence or any bind-overs imposed by any court? (You must include traffic convictions, fixed penalties for motoring or disorder offences, anti-social behaviour orders and any appearances before a court martial. Any cautions as a juvenile should also be included and remember you must include convictions even if they are spent). Refer to notes on page 12.

Yes No

Date(most recent first)

Offence/ Alleged Offence Result (if known) Court/ Police Station involved

                       

                       

                       

Do you have any impending prosecutions? Yes No

If YES, provide full details as above.     

Have you ever been involved in a criminal investigation (whether or not this led to prosecution) or been associated with criminals? Yes No (Include details of any arrests even if they resulted in no further action). If YES, provide full details as above.     

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Financial PositionAll Volunteers are in a privileged position with regard to access to information and could be considered potentially vulnerable to corruption. Volunteers should not therefore be under pressure from un-discharged debts or liabilities and should be able to manage loans and debts sensibly. Most individuals have debts, such as mortgages, un-discharged student or other loans and credit/store card debts. Importantly therefore, debts, which are within your means and are manageable, are NOT necessarily a bar to appointment. Unless otherwise stated, please complete these questions in respect of the last six years by insert a tick or cross in the relevant box.

YES NO Details (including dates)Have you had a loan arrangement terminated by a

bank/building society/finance house/other?Have you had a credit/charge/store or cheque card

withdrawn?Are you in arrears with any existing credit

card/loan/mortgage/hire purchase agreement?

Have you ever been registered as bankrupt?

If YES, have your bankruptcy debts been discharged?

Have you had any court action taken against you for any debt?

YES NO Details (including dates)Have you been party to a voluntary agreement/ arrangement registered with the County Court?

Has a County Court/Tribunal Judgement been made against you?

If YES, has this been cleared?(If yes, please provide a Certificate of

Satisfaction)Have you had repossession proceedings

commenced against you?Have you consolidated all your debts with one

lender?

Previous AddressesPlease give details of all addresses at which you have lived over the last five years. These must include details of home addresses, halls of residence or term-time addresses. Start with the most recent. Do not include your current address. Continue on a separate sheet if necessary.

Full Address (include postcode if known) Approximate datesFrom (month/year) to (month/year)

1.            

2.            

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Full Address (include postcode if known) Approximate datesFrom (month/year) to (month/year)

1.            

2.            

Family DetailsRelationship to you

Full Name [include any previous surnames]

Date & Place of Birth

Full Address[including postcode]

EXAMPLEYour mother Edith Mary SMITH nee

COX21.5.1945Poole, Dorset

White Gables, High StreetDorchester. DT1 1SL

Your spouse or partner                  

Your father                  

Your stepfather or mother’s partner

                 

Your mother                  

Your stepmother or father’s partner

                 

Your brother or sister [full/half/step etc.]

                 

Your brother or sister [full/half/step etc.]

                 

Your brother or sister [full/half/step etc.]

                 

Your brother or sister [full/half/step etc.]

                 

Your spouse’s or partner’s Mother/stepmother etc.

                 

Your spouse’s or partner’s Father/stepfather etc.

                 

Other individuals living at your address, over 10 years old

                 

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Other individuals living at your address, over 10 years old

                 

SECTION 2Personal StatementWhy do you wish to be an independent scrutiny panel member? (400 words maximum)

Please give details of any relevant interests, skills or experience that you would bring to the role, including other voluntary work, if appointed (400 words maximum)

Please use the box below to explain in your own words why you wish to perform the role of Independent scrutiny panel member. Please keep your answer to 400 words maximum

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SECTION 3 DeclarationI declare that all the statements I have made in this application are true to the best of my knowledge and belief and that no relevant information has been withheld. I understand that:

I must inform the recruitment office without delay of any change to my circumstances.

Criminal conviction checks will be made against myself and my family members and I have informed them of this.

A Volunteer with the Office and Police and Crime Commissioner who has deliberately made any false statement or omitted information in connection with his or her appointment may subsequently have the opportunity to volunteer removed.

If I am appointed my fingerprints and a sample of my DNA may be taken and held on record for elimination purposes.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner retains the right to reject any application without giving reasons.

The information I have provided may be held on manual filing and computer systems as part of the recruitment process.

I understand this information may be shared by other police forces.

I am not a member of the BNP or similar organisation whose aims, objectives or pronouncements may contradict the duty to promote race equality.

Applicant

Print Name:      

Date:      

Signature:(Please note if not completed this will be required at interview).

Verification of Documents For completion by Independent Scrutiny Panel Co-ordinator at Informal Interview stage

Proof of address: I enclose a copy of: ____________________________________ as proof of addressProof of Identity: I enclose a copy of: ____________________________________ as proof of identity

I have examined and certified the above mentioned documents and confirm they relate to the applicant. Relevant documents attached.

I do not know of any reason why this person would be a risk to Devon and Cornwall Police. Signed: ___________________________ Print name: __________________________ Date: ____________

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Completed application forms should be emailed to: opcc@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.ukAlternatively, should you be unable to complete the form electronically, please send to:OPCC. Andy Hocking House. Alderson Drive. Middlemoor. Exeter. EX2 7RP

Equal Opportunities – Monitoring FormThe Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is committed to being an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with advice received from the Equality and Human Rights Commission each Force monitors all the applications it receives for the posts which it advertises. The information provided is for monitoring purposes and is not considered in the selection process.The Police and Crime Commissioner of Devon & Cornwall is committed to promoting genuine equality of opportunity in line with our responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty. In order to promote genuine equality of opportunity we need an up to date picture of our workforce. We try to ensure that any request for personal information from you is necessary and proportionate. All personal information is stored securely in line with the requirements of Data Protection legislation. If you are successful in your application the information you provide will be transferred to your personal record. The information is used to help us understand the make-up of our workforce and informs our positive action activity to help us achieve a more representative workforce. Access will be restricted to authorised staff only. You can update your personal confidential data at any time. Please place a cross in all the relevant boxes.

1. Age Under 16 16-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 66+ Other Prefer not to say

2. DisabilityThe Equality Act defines a person as having a disability if he or she ‘has a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day to day to activities.’

Do you have a disability? Yes No

If you answered Yes please cross box(es) as appropriate:

Physical impairment that affects mobility Hearing impairment

Mental health issues Other sensory impairment

Physical impairment that affects co-ordination, ability to use your hands or lift/move everyday

objects

Learning difficulty/learning disability

Visual Impairment not corrected by glasses or contact lenses

Long term health condition (likely to last more than 12 months)

Prefer not to say

Please highlight to us any reasonable adjustments that you may require in the selection process

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3. Ethnic originHow would you describe your ethnic origin?

White: British Irish Irish Traveller Any other White background Cornish Other White background (please specify):

Mixed: White & Black Caribbean White & Black African White & Asian Other mixed background (please specify)

Asian/Asian Indian Pakistani Bangladeshi British: Other Asian background (please specify):

Black/Black Caribbean African British: Other Black background (please specify):

Other: Chinese Any other ethnic group (please specify):

Prefer not to say:

4. Gender IdentityIs your gender identity the same as it was at birth? Yes No Prefer not to say

5. What is your religion or belief?Atheism Christianity Islam Pagan Sikhism No religion or belief

Baha’i

Hinduism

Janism

Parsi / Zorastrianism

Other religion or belief (please specify)

Buddhism

Humanism

Judaism

Rastafarianism

Prefer not to say

6. Sexual orientationHeterosexual Bisexual Lesbian Gay man

Other Prefer not to say

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Marketing FormTo enable us to monitor our public relations and marketing activity, please indicate what prompted you to apply to join the police service. Tick any that apply.

OPCC Engagement staff at public event (please state)

Friend/Family/Other word of mouth

Careers office/School/College/Library

Job Centre (please state which)

Force Website

OPCC Website

Local press (please state publication)

National press (please state publication)

Radio (please state station)

Cinema (please state venue)

Local event (please state venue)

Recruitment poster (please state where, e.g. on bus)

Police Contact Point Volunteer Service (please state venue)

Facebook

Twitter

Other (please specify)

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Please give details of any other media, interviews or articles which prompted your application     

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ELIGIBILITY AND GUIDANCEBefore you proceed with your application, please check that you meet all the following criteria to ensure that you are eligible to apply to become an Independent Custody Visitor.

AGEYou must be 18 years of age or over at the time of applying.

CRIMINAL HISTORIES Convictions or cautions will not necessarily preclude you from appointment. It will

depend on their nature and the circumstances of the offence. Failure to disclose convictions or cautions will, however, result in your application being terminated.

You must declare all convictions for any past offences, formal cautions by the police (including cautions as a juvenile, i.e. under 18 years) and any bind-overs imposed by any court. You should include traffic convictions such as speeding, drink-drive offences, fixed penalties for motoring or disorder offences, anti-social behaviour orders and any appearances before a court martial.

You must also declare any charge or summons currently outstanding against you. You must include spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

(by virtue of the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975) or any involvement with civil, military or transport police.

You must also declare if you have ever been involved in any criminal investigation whether or not this led to prosecution (either of yourself or others).Some applicants do not declare information which they believe is no longer held on record. However, our enquiries will reveal incidents from long ago and failure to disclose these will lead to your application being rejected. If you have any doubts, include the details and let us decide if they are relevant.

Dependant on the role you are applying for we may also want to know whether any of your close family or associates are involved in criminal activity and we will therefore search for any criminal convictions or cautions recorded against your family. You must advise them that these enquiries will be made. The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner cannot disclose the results of these enquiries to you.

FINANCIAL POSITIONA Volunteer with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner may be in a position to access or hear potentially sensitive or personal information. Such information could potentially make a Volunteer vulnerable to corruption. Applicants should not therefore be under pressure from un-discharged debts or liabilities and should be able to manage loans and debts sensibly. However, most applicants have debts, such as mortgages, un-discharged students or other loans, and credit/store card debts.

Arrears in any outstanding debts must be given, including IVAs (individual Voluntary agreements/arrangements, arrangements with financial institutions’ or others to whom monies are owed.

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NATIONALITY To be eligible for appointment you must be a British citizen or a member of the EC or other

states in the EEA. Commonwealth citizens and foreign nationals are also eligible but only if they are resident in the UK free of restrictions.

Applicants will need to have been resident in the UK for the last three years consecutively. If you are a Commonwealth citizen or a foreign national you must provide proof that you have

no restrictions on your stay in the UK. You should therefore send a COPY of your passport which shows that your stay is free of

restrictions. DO NOT send your actual passport with this application. Other documentary evidence of your status may be required.

MEMBERSHIP OF BRITISH NATIONAL PARTY OR SIMILAR

The Police Service has a policy of prohibiting any of their officers or staff from becoming members of the BNP or similar organisations whose aims, objectives or pronouncements may contradict the duty to promote race equality.

If you are, or have been, a member of the BNP or similar, your application may be rejected.

INELIGIBLE OCCUPATIONS AND ACTIVITIES You cannot be considered for appointment as a volunteer if there would be a

significant chance that this could lead to a conflict of interest, either for yourself or for others, between the obligations as an independent custody visitor and your effectiveness in your professional life or any other voluntary role being undertaken. It is important to minimise the risk that independent custody visitors might be pressed to abuse their position within the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

For this reason an application may be refused if it is believed that a conflict could take place.

Scheme

Completed application forms should be emailed to: OPCC@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.ukAlternatively, should you be unable to complete the form electronically, please send to:OPCCAndy Hocking HouseAlderson DriveExeterEX2 7RP

Should you have any queries please contact the team via Telephone: 01392 225572 or email as above.

To be completed by Devon and Cornwall OPCC:Name of Scheme Manager: Vicky Booty 97180

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