Joint Independent Ethics Committee
The committee helps build trust and public confidence in policing by engaging in meaningful debate on ethical issues facing the West Yorkshire Mayor and West Yorkshire Police.
Joint Independent Ethics Committee
Recruitment
Recruiting now!
Could you be a critical friend to the Mayor and Chief Constable and give independent expert advice on ethical issues in policing?
To find out more about the role of the Joint Independent Ethics Committee, the competencies required, and the eligibility criteria, please download the application pack.
We are looking to appoint a Chair and four Independent Members to our new Joint Independent Ethics Committee to work with the Mayor and Chief Constable to promote the highest trust and public confidence in policing.
We are seeking individuals with skills and experience in ethical governance and an interest in human rights and the ability to offer balanced, reasonable and proportionate judgements and independent expert advice to the Mayor and Chief Constable. Candidates should be well-informed, interested and engaged in the issues facing our communities in West Yorkshire.
Successful applicants will be appointed for 3 years and remunerated for the services that they provide over a minimum of four meetings per year. Applicants must be over the age of 18, live, work or study in the West Yorkshire area and be able to attend meetings in Leeds, Wakefield or on-line during the working day.
To apply, please complete the application form, and return it to policingandcrime@westyorks-ca.gov.uk by midday on Sunday 24 March 2024.
In person interviews are scheduled to be held on 17 and 22 April 2024 (interview dates subject to change).
We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from under-represented communities.
Statement of Purpose
The Joint Independent Ethics Committee (JIEC) will be held quarterly.
Purpose:
To help build trust and public confidence in policing by engaging in meaningful debate on ethical issues facing the West Yorkshire Mayor and West Yorkshire Police, acting as a ‘critical friend’, and providing independent expert advice to the Mayor and the Chief Constable to assist them in ensuring that the Force aspires to, and achieves, the highest levels of integrity and standards of service delivery.
The focus of the deliberation will be on current and planned activities.
Reporting:
The Committee will report regularly to the Mayor and Chief Constable and provide them with an annual report of the Committee’s work and will publish minutes of meetings which should also be shared with the Joint Independent Audit Committee and the Force Internal Ethics Committee.
Terms of Reference
The terms of reference will be agreed by the members once in post. Recruitment for membership is underway during Spring 2024.
Membership
The committee will be formed of 5 members, appointed by the Mayor and the Chief Constable (or their representative) following a formal application and interview process.
Chair (vacant)
Members x 4 (vacant)
Recruitment for membership is underway during Spring 2024.
Annual Reports
Annual reports will be published here after the committee has run for 12 months. It is expected that the first meeting will take place during Summer 2024.
Meetings, Agendas and Minutes
Agendas and minutes will be published here after the first committee meeting has run. It is expected that the first meeting will take place during Summer 2024.
The Joint Independent Ethics Committee was established in West Yorkshire, with Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner approval, as an extension of the existing Joint Independent Audit Committee in 2016.
In January 2022 the Chief Constable and Mayor agreed to separate the Audit and Ethics elements of the Joint Committee and to conduct a review of the Ethics Committee with an intention to provide membership which reflects the required expertise and community representation.
The agendas and minutes of the Joint Independent Audit Committee (JIAC) and the Joint Independent Ethics Committee (JIEC) meetings (before the committees were split) can be found on the JIAC webpage.
Members agreed, in the interests of transparency, to routinely publish minutes of the meeting with effect from 13 April 2018. To access minutes of meetings prior to the below, please make a 'freedom of information' request via foi.PC@westyorks-ca.gov.uk.