Firearms & Explosives Licensing – Volunteering Opportunity

Join the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner and South Wales Police Firearms & Explosives Licensing Independent Advisory Group (IAG).

South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner and South Wales Police Firearms & Explosives Licensing Independent Advisory Group (FELIAG), performs the vital role of a ‘critical friend’ in relation to our policies and processes. It allows us to coproduce the service we deliver within the communities we serve.

It is a forum where independent members of the community can offer advice based on their knowledge and lived experience of firearms & explosives licensing issues in policing and contribute to making South Wales a safer and more cohesive place.

The role of the IAG is to provide informal scrutiny and advice on our service with a particular focus on ensuring we understand and are able to respond to the needs of all our communities.

We need people with a passion, commitment and understanding of equality and human rights to help us at a local level working with our three operational teams covering, Cardiff and the Vale, Mid Glamorgan and Swansea, Neath Port Talbot.

We also need our ‘critical friend’ to assist us at a strategic level providing advice through our Firearms & Explosives Licensing team, to shape local policies.

We need the membership of the FELIAG to be as representative as possible of the diverse communities we serve and in line with the protected characteristics detailed in the Equality Act 2010. However, South Wales Police currently require specific assistance, with the scrutiny of our approach to firearms & explosives licensing and would particularly welcome and encourage applications from people with experience in this area.

Role Profile

As a FELIAG member your independent views will help South Wales Police shape police service provisions and help build stronger relationships with our shooting communities. You will agree to:

• Take part in six-monthly meetings as a member of the group.
• Provide the group with independent advice about specific issues identified and agreed by the Police and IAG.
• Provide guidance, personal insight and constructive challenge reflecting your perspective as a member of the shooting community.
• Provide independent advice on issues that potentially impact on the community in the South Wales area including policies, practices, procedures and critical incidents.
• Where appropriate, act as an Independent Critical Incident Advisor for operational Police (not a compulsory requirement).
• Retain a good working relationship with other IAG members, South Wales Police personnel and any other interested parties.
• Potentially undertake a wider variety of advisory roles.

Person Specification

Candidates for the role of IAG member must satisfy the following criteria:

• Must not have an open complaint relating to South Wales Police or the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).
• Must not be a serving police officer or a member of police staff for South Wales Police, the PCC, or any other Police Force or PCC.
• Must live or work within the South Wales Policing area.
• Be willing to attend meetings within the South Wales area.
• Must be granted vetting clearance.
• Must be willing to contribute time, energy, and commitment to attend regular meetings.
• Be committed to making a difference to the way that policing services are delivered.
• Must be willing to work constructively with the Police and other IAG members.
• Demonstrate the ability to listen to and consider the views of others and treat all people fairly and with dignity and respect.
• Avoid prejudice and discrimination and demonstrate a commitment to equality and human rights principles.
• Must abide by the College of Policing Code of Ethics.
• Be able to demonstrate working knowledge of legislation and statutory guidance relevant to firearm licensing.
• Must be able to deal with and appropriately manage confidential information.
• Demonstrate the ability to question, challenge, weigh up issues and make balanced, reasonable and proportionate judgements.

If you believe you can help make a positive difference to policing in South Wales, please download the application form today.

If you would like to discuss joining the IAG please contact Phil Ashby:  phil.ashby@south-wales.police.uk)

Please return your completed application to:  HRCommissioner@south-wales.police.uk

This document is available in Welsh and can also be made available in other formats, including large print, braille, audio, and email.  Please contact: HRCommissioner@south-wales.police.uk if you wish to receive any of these formats.