Independent Advisory Groups (IAGs) are managed by Thames Valley Police (TVP) and help to build insight into the needs, wants and concerns of diverse communities who are under-represented in normal decision making processes. Their insight is used to shape service delivery for the benefit of all our communities and engender trust and confidence in policing.  

There is one IAG per Local Command Unit (LCU). 

The groups anticipate and advise TVP on the impact of police actions and the issues of greatest concern to communities and provide constructive suggestions and advice to TVP on ways to improve powers, policies and practice.   

IAGs:  

• Have an appreciation of resources within communities that may assist to resolve particular incidents and promote and support the creation of partnerships between the police and communities to develop stronger communities  

• Provide appropriate independent input from a community perspective on critical incidents; capturing community concerns, challenging assumptions and mindsets and building trust and confidence with families and communities   

• Advise upon and support effective engagement strategies that enable interaction with all communities, fostering strong relationships that build trust and confidence, promote community cohesion and encourage the active involvement of people from diverse groups.  

• Drive change and improvements in TVP policies and processes.   

Meetings are held every quarter for 2 hours with an annual schedule of meetings agreed by IAG Chair and LCU Chief Superintendent.  Extraordinary meetings will take place where appropriate outside of this schedule.  

IAGs 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 Local Command Units (LCU’s).  

Get involved

If you are interested in becoming a member of your local IAG please visit Thames Valley Police’s vacancy page