Diverse Communities Advisory Group
Our Diverse Communities Independent Advisory Group gives an independent voice on policing issues in the county from minority communities.
The group currently has about 30 members and is always happy to welcome new joiners. We need people of all ages 16+ who identify from a black Asian or other ethnic minority background and live or work in Wiltshire or Swindon with an interest in local policing and willing to give us feedback and insight around important topics.
The Group complements our other Independent Advisory Groups, which offer advice on a range of issues to our Community Policing Teams, but are not representative of specific communities.
It meets several times a year, online or face to face meetings, facilitated by the Deputy Chief Constable and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner. During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic the group had monthly online briefings on policing issues relevant to the health crisis.
Introducing the Chair and Deputy Chair
Chair - Abdul Amin
"As a member of the British Bangladeshi heritage, it gives me a great pleasure to be elected as the first Chair for the BAME Independent Advisory Group for Wiltshire Police. My passion has always been to help local communities of Swindon have their voices heard and make meaningful changes to make the neighbourhood safer and stronger. I have had the privilege of pursuing this passion through my role as a Swindon Borough Councillor for the past eight years.
"The BAME independent advisory group is something unique that Wiltshire Police have formed. It is to better understand the needs of the diverse communities of Wiltshire. As a councillor working with a diverse range of communities, I appreciate there needs to be a mutual understanding between BME communities and the Police.
"I have been a Wiltshire resident for just over two years, after finishing a Politics, Philosophy and Economics degree."
Deputy Chair - Samuel Pearce-Kearney
"I currently live in Calne and I am a Town Councillor for my local area. I work as an auditor and merchandiser ensuring compliance for many high street brands.
"I feel privileged to have been appointed Vice Chair of the BAME IAG. It is great that Wiltshire Police has started the group and want to hear minority views. I believe listening matters and I am confident that I can ensure the views of the community are heard. I'm glad to have been part of this from the start. I am looking forward to helping the police to better understand the communities they serve and the issues that matter to them."
How can you help?
We need volunteers from ethnic minority communities to help us make sure we provide a quality service to the communities of Wiltshire and Swindon. Feedback and advice from people who are willing to help us understand the issues affecting minority communities, while questioning and challenging current practices in a constructive way.
These include:
- Recruiting more people to work for the police from diverse communities so that our service is more representative and reflects our diverse population
- Advice on retention and progression of ethnic minority officers and staff through the ranks once they join the organisation
- Hate crime - what we do well, what we can do better, in particular how to get people to report hate incidents and hate crimes so that we can investigate properly
- Stop and search - we want to keep people safe, but make sure we stop people proportionately and fairly
Who can join?
If you identify yourself as from an ethnic minority background and have a keen interest in policing and its affect on your community, we want to hear from you.
We encourage you to share constructive criticism and offer suggestions about how we could do things better.
Read our leaflet for more details about the scheme.
Please complete the application form below if you are interested in joining the group, or email the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team at [email protected]