The panels build insight into how the police use their powers with a view to highlighting good practice, recommending learning or other actions, as necessary for the Force to consider, and helping the LCU to understand the impact that policing encounters may have on the trust and confidence of communities.

CSP volunteer duties include:

• Make critical observations and examine evidence, in line with official guidance standards, to comment on past activity and specific incidents or data with the intention of making changes for the future
• Provide TVP with a community viewpoint to gauge the quality of policing encounters and the context in which they happen and, therefore, enhance wider understanding by police of the impact of police practices
• Amplify the voices and concerns of the public and strengthen their influence in policing governance
• Drive change and improvements in TVP policies and processes and strategic decision-making

There are 5 CSPs, covering Oxfordshire, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire West and Berkshire East. Full panel meeting will be held every quarter for 2 hours with an annual schedule of meetings agreed by Panel Chair and Local Command Unit (LCU) Leadership Team.

Sub-group meetings will take place every 6 weeks and involve scrutiny of body worn video and records relating to stop & search, use of force and key areas of scrutiny defined within an annual programme of work.

Get involved

CSPs are comprised of members of the public (aged 16+) who live, work or study within TVP, and as far as possible represent the diversity of the communities within each of our LCU’s. If you are interested in becoming a member of a Community Scrutiny Panel, please visit Thames Valley Police’s vacancy page for further information