Board of Ethics

The independently chaired Ethics Board has been established to enhance trust and confidence in the ethical governance and actions of North Wales Police and the Office of The Police & Crime Commissioner.

Fundamentally, the board will function as a forum for the independent review of ethical issues in the police service.

Its guidance will help to inform the work of North Wales Police and the Police & Crime Commissioner and will give wider reassurance to the public.

The Board's panel will look at ethical issues within the police service and will promote transparent working and good practice across the force.

Its remit will span all roles within policing and incorporate the work of officers, staff, and volunteers within North Wales Police.

As part of their role, Ethics Board members will:

• Consider ethical dilemmas submitted to the board and make recommendations to Chief Officers and the OPCC.
• Seek to proactively identify ethical issues arising within the force and take appropriate actions thereafter.
• Promote the highest standards of ethical conduct.
• Provide a focus for education into ethical issues.
• Be a source of support to other boards and all areas of the force on ethical issues and ethical assurance.
• Support compliance with organisational values.
• Use the College of Policing's Code of Ethics to assist in decision making.
• Provide ethical assurance checks for new and reviewed NWP policies.
• Provide ethical assurance and link into the NWP Culture Board.
• Identify opportunities for learning and/or change implementation and link with appropriate groups within NWP.
• Participate in regional and national Ethics Board meetings to share learning and good practice.

The board's work will be led independently by Chair Victoria Holbrook-Hughes, with NWP's Head of Business Intelligence, James Sutton as Vice-Chair.

A further 10 members of NWP will also have board membership: comprising a mixture of individuals drawn from both operational and non-operational roles.

One board member will be drawn from the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner.

The board will also incorporate 10 external members, including an undergraduate student from a local college, one senior academic in a relevant field, three members from the force's Independent Advisory Group, one from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and other members who are yet to be recruited.

In this short video, Victoria Holbrook-Hughes discusses her role and provides a breakdown of work undertaken by the board and its wider remit.

Improving public confidence in policing is a key priority both for North Wales Police and within the OPCC's wider Police and Crime Plan.

Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman insists it is vital for police forces to work with the public openly and transparently to build trust.

She said: "I welcome the establishment of an Ethics Board and, in the interests of full transparency, it is only right that it is an independently led group.

“As Chief Constable, I would like to assure the public that the board’s work in addressing and assessing ethical concerns will operate with fairness at its core.

“It is crucial for legitimacy of the service provided that our officers, staff, and volunteers have faith in these processes.

“Equally, it is vital for local communities to have trust and confidence in their police service.

“Our extensive public engagement plays a key part in helping people to feel safe within the communities of North Wales and we will endeavour to maintain those high standards.

“The work of the Ethics Board aligns fully with the force priorities of North Wales Police; namely - being visible and engaging with our communities, focusing on the basics of fighting, preventing, and reducing crime, and providing an excellent service to victims.”

North Wales Police & Crime Commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin said: "As Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, I am the elected voice of the people in policing, holding the police to account for residents of the region and creating the overall plan that officers work to.

“A cornerstone of this plan is ensuring a fair and effective criminal justice system and – for me – effective policing starts with a trusted police force.

“I strongly support the establishment of the Ethics Board as a means of further boosting the transparency and good working practices across the organisation that I always seek to help build.”