Ethics Board Independent Chair

**Independent Ethics Advisory Board**

The North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police wish to enhance and embed an exemplary ethical culture within North Yorkshire Police, where integrity, impartiality, transparency and public service are at the core of all decisions and actions.

The Commissioner and Chief Constable recognise that police legitimacy comes from transparent, honest, fair and respectful treatment of the public. To enhance public trust and confidence in North Yorkshire Police requires every officer and member of staff to consider their ethical behaviour in every interaction.

The Commissioner and Chief Constable also recognise that an ethical tenor across the organisation helps to create a motivated, inclusive workforce who feel valued and either exemplify or strive to meet and where possible exceed our values and standards, who know that they are respected by the organisation and recognise that it is driven by fair organisational justice.

The Code of Ethics forms a central part of policing’s approach to ethical behaviour. However, the Commissioner and Chief Constable acknowledge that to truly embed ethics at the heart of every decision and action, requires a further step change for every individual and for the organisation.

The Independent Ethics Advisory Board will provide guidance, support and challenge to the Commissioner and Chief Constable as they seek to attain beacon status in terms of embedding an ethical and values-driven culture. The IEAB will help resolve ethical dilemmas and provide advice and guidance, signalling where a new or different course may need to be taken to ensure that standards match our ambition. The fresh perspective of our IEAB and its independence of mind, coupled with delivery of its messages to us with absolute candour, will benefit us immensely.

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**Purpose**:
The Independent Ethics Advisory Board will provide independent advice and guidance to the Commissioner and Chief Constable regarding ethical issues and in so doing, enhance trust and confidence in the ethical governance and actions of the organisation. The IEAB will support the Commissioner and Chief Constable to:

- Promote the highest standards of ethical conduct.
- Provide a focus for education into ethical issues.
- Provide a source of support to others.
- Advise on compliance with organisational values, practice and behaviours.

**Role of the Independent Chair**:
The Independent Chair will lead the IEAB, taking leadership of board meetings to ensure that all considerations needed are made by panel members in relation to ethical issues within policing. The Chair will also work with the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to highlight good practice and making recommendations to the police and partner agencies. They will also be responsible for ensuring that meetings adhere to the Terms of Reference set out. The Chair is also responsible for conducting an annual review of the effectiveness of the IEAB, produce an annual report on the Panel’s business and findings, and recommend amendments to the Panel’s Terms of Reference where appropriate. The Chair will need to be able to offer written feedback concisely, question and challenge established practice where necessary, weigh up issues and make balanced, reasonable, and proportionate judgements. In addition, the Chair will establish and maintain good working relationships with a wide range of people including members of the OPFCC, North Yorkshire Police and other partner agencies.

**Eligibility**:
Members of the Independent Ethics Advisory Board must be independent of North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, enableNY and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Serving (or previously serving) police officers, police staff, fire fighters or staff, enableNY staff, anyone employed in any Police (Fire) and Crime Commissioner Office (or equivalent) or an employee of a council which is represented on the Police, Fire and Crime Panel are not eligible for appointment to the Board. Volunteers serving for any of those organisations will not normally be eligible for appointment, but please seek guidance if you fit that category.

Meetings:
It is expected that meetings may take place online and in future it is likely that meetings will be of a blended format of some attending in person, some virtually. If meetings are held in person, then they will normally take place within the North Yorkshire Police or OPFCC estate including Northallerton, York or Harrogate.

Further Information:
Further information, including details of eligibility and selection, frequency of meetings, expenses and role specification can be viewed within our detailed recruitment pack Recruitment Pack.pdf