Independent Member Recruitment
We are looking for 3 new Independent Members to join Lancashire Police Authority from 1st October 2008. To find out more about the role of the Authority, please see the Lancashire Police Authority section of the website.
The Police Authority is an independent organisation set up to ensure the people of Lancashire get an efficient and effective police service. It is not the Constabulary and does not carry out any operational police work.
Lancashire Police Authority is made up of 17 members, from the 1st October 2008, the Authority will comprise nine locally elected Councillors, and eight Independent Members, of whom at least one must be a Lay Justice (Magistrate). These people together represent the local community on policing and related issues.
Why become an Independent Member?
As a member of the Police Authority you can play an important role in helping to improve police performance and raising the standards of policing in your area. You can also help ensure that people from all the different local communities receive fair and non-discriminatory police services.
Here are some comments from the Authority’s current Independent Members on the role which they undertake:-
“As an Independent Member I represent the general public and my local community - and I am able to have a direct influence on policing delivery . I have special responsibility on the Authority for both Training and drug related issues where I can really use the experience gained through my work to challenge activities and drive through improvements. This dovetails well with my work. It is also fascinating to see both local and national strategies to address crime progress and being a member of the Authority enables you to scrutinise the process, suggesting strategic changes where you feel these are necessary."
Trish McGirr
Independent Member
“Independent members come from all corners of the community, bringing their own perspectives to the Police Authority. We strive to be as representative of the community as possible, to help us make the right decisions for local people.”
David Edmundson
Independent Member
“I am keen to help people overcome community and cultural barriers so that they can live their lives as they choose. My role as a Police Authority member means that I can make a real contribution and influence how these issues are approached both nationally and here in Lancashire.”
Saima Afzal
Independent Member
How do I apply to become an Independent Member?
If you wish to apply, the application pack can be downloaded from the links on this page of the website, or alternatively, an application pack can be obtained by contacting:-
Mrs J Nicholas
Lancashire Police Authority (Ref: ADMIN/JN)
PO Box 653
Preston
PR2 2WB.
Telephone: 01772 532251.
Email: jay.nicholas@lpa.lancscc.gov.uk
Please refer to the guidance booklet as this outlines the strict criteria for becoming an Independent Member.
Application Pack
1. Letter to applicants (108Kb)
3. Guidance note for completing the application form (62Kb)
5. Equal opportunities monitoring form (303Kb)
6. Overview of process (238Kb)
7. APA guidance booklet (1132Kb)
8. APA competency framework (204Kb)
9. Members Allowance scheme (71Kb)
What happens after I apply – Shortlisting and Interviews
The Independent Member appointment process is a standard one for the whole country and is made up of 2 stages:-
1. All applications are considered by an independent Selection Panel for each policing area which is made up of five local people:
- Three Members of the Police Authority;
- A person appointed by the Home Secretary;
- An Independent Assessor appointed from a list produced by the Home Secretary.
The Panel will conduct an initial shortlisting exercise and then, if appropriate, interview shortlisted applicants to produce a list of suitable applicants (twice the number of people needed) which it sends to the existing Members of the Police Authority. The Lancashire Panel intends to shortlist applications on the 17th July 2008 and to conduct interviews on the 2nd and 3rd September 2008.
2. A Panel of the existing Members will then interview the candidates on the Panel’s final shortlist and make the final selection of Independent Members. It is anticipated that these interviews will be held on a date to be confirmed in late September 2008.
