Board of Ethics

Board of Ethics 

The Board of Ethics is a forum for the independent review of ethical issues in the police service. It helps inform the work of North Wales Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), and to give wider reassurance to the public.  

Ethics are the core principles that all police officers and staff should work to in the service of the public. These principles together form a Code of Ethics that governs the proper and correct way that police should act in their role.’ 

The Board of Ethics’ work includes: 

• The consideration of ethical dilemmas submitted to the board, (anonymously if preferred) and to make recommendations to Chief Officers and the OPCC.  

• Identifying ethical issues arising within the force and then taking appropriate actions. 

• Promoting the highest standards of ethical conduct. 

• Making recommendations in relation to ethical concerns and associated learning to promote best practice within the force. 

• Being a source of support to other boards and all areas of the force on ethical issues and ethical assurance. 

• Supporting compliance with organisational values. 

• Using the College of Policing's Code of Ethics to assist in decision making. 

• Providing ethical assurance checks for new and reviewed NWP policies. 

• Providing ethical assurance and link into the NWP Culture Board. 

• Identifying opportunities for learning and/or changing implementation and linking with appropriate groups within NWP. 

• Participating 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 and Crime Commissioner. 

The board will also incorporate 10 external members, including a 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 from outside of policing. 

Meetings of the Panel will not be subject to the Local Government Access to Information legislation but are subject to the Freedom of Information Act. In the interests of openness and transparency, the agenda and reports, not subject to restrictions, will be published following the meeting. A formal report setting out the views/findings of the Panel will be submitted annually to the force’s Joint Audit Committee.