Independent Advisory Group

Derbyshire‘s Independent Advisory Groups (IAG) acts as a ‘critical friend’ to the force.

IAGs were created to challenge conventional thinking, to give an independent perspective on issues and to work as genuine partners with the police to inform improvements in service delivery.

The role of IAG members is not to provide ‘specialist advice’ on policing issues. Rather, they are designed to provide advice on how policing services may be, or are being, perceived by communities.

IAG members are not independent scrutinisers, as this function is carried out via existing established mechanisms. Specific tasks might involve a critical assessment of an operation, policy or incident. The aim should always be to identify ways to add value to policing services for all communities.

IAGs are not the voice of the community, instead a collection of individual community voices. IAGs are only one part of the jigsaw of wide community consultation engagement.

As critical friends, IAG members constructively advise and challenge Derbyshire Constabulary on their policies, procedures and practices and advise the Force on how to enhance these key areas, so that policing performance is improved. Members of the IAG are involved in constantly improving service delivery to all Derbyshire’s communities.

Community input into the activities of the police enables policing at both a strategic and tactical level to be more effective, focusing on community engagement and therefore responding to community needs.

To address these needs and ensure above all that communities play a major role in shaping and monitoring their policing, Derbyshire Constabulary consult with a range of individuals. These people represent the diverse community demographics within Derbyshire.

What do the IAG get involved in?

The IAG have been integral in providing advice and guidance to the police in many areas, including:

• Critical incidents
• Use of Force Tasers scrutiny panels
• Stop and Search scrutiny panels
• Use of Force scrutiny panels
• Use of Force in Custody scrutiny panels
• Hate crime scrutiny panels
• Community relations and engagement
• Equality and diversity issues

IAG members who wish to participate in scrutiny panel meetings, community engagement activities and critical incidents must hold Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) Level 2 full clearance. A decision was made in 2025 to reintroduce the vetting requirement for this role following the update to national vetting authorised professional practice.

Join the Independent Advisory Group

The Independent Advisory Group are now recruiting new members in your community to help shape and impact local policing.

Do you want to:

• Live in a safer community?
• Help to police your neighbourhood better?
• Advise on police operations and strategy?
• Share your experience and expertise to help build trust with diverse communities?

If you can answer yes to any or all of these questions, then Derbyshire‘s Independent Advisory Group (IAG) need you.

If you would like to join, all we ask is that you have an interest in policing, can volunteer for a few hours every couple of months (every month if you would like to get involved with our scrutiny panels) and would like to share your opinions and advice on policing matters. Please note, IAG members who wish to participate in scrutiny panel meetings, community engagement activities and critical incidents must hold Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) Level 2 full clearance. An application can be submitted to the force’s vetting team on joining the IAG. Members cannot participate in scrutiny panel meetings, community engagement activities or critical incidents until vetting clearance is provided. 

Currently anyone over the age of 18 years can join the IAG. All we ask is that you live or work in Derbyshire.

IAG meetings are held in person at Force Headquarters in Ripley. Scrutiny panel meetings are held in person at Force Headquarters in Ripley or virtually on Microsoft Teams. Meetings and scrutiny panels are held on different days at different times to try and make it inclusive for all volunteers to attend around other commitments.

To apply or find out more about becoming a member of the Independent Advisory Group, you can register your interest using our simple form.