Young people have the chance to tell community leaders what they want from policing, community safety and victims’ services in Cleveland, as part of a new project.
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) has just commissioned the Junction Foundation to run a Youth Advisory Group (YAG) for the next three years.
Working with the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC,) his office and Cleveland Police, the group’s members will inform, support and shape current and future policing priorities via monthly meetings.
Now the charity wants to recruit at least 25 young people, aged 14 to 18, before Christmas to take part.
“YAG is going to be Influential”
Phil Dolphin, Lead for Youth and Participation at the Junction, said: “My vision is that the YAG is going to be influential, shaping how young people are treated by the police.
“It’s about how we challenge ways of working and engaging with young people and how the police communicate with them. It should be a two-way conversation.”
Cleveland PCC Steve Turner said: “The new Youth Advisory Group will build on the work of the Youth Commission over the past two years.
“Myself, my office and the police will meet regularly with the new group. This will allow me to find out what young people in Cleveland want to see from policing, community safety and victims’ services.
“The role of the PCC is designed to be the public’s voice in policing. The new group feeds into my duty to consult with local communities.”
Initial meetings will take place before Christmas, giving members a chance to get to know each other. They will also find out more about their roles.
Outline of group’s work
The group’s work is expected to start in January next year. It is likely to include the following:
- Carrying out consultation with young people on behalf of the Cleveland Unit for Reducing Violence (CURV);
- Producing quarterly feedback for CURV’s Governance Board;
- Supporting the development of funding bids, where consultation with young people is needed;
- Developing a Youth Ethics Panel to provide advice and guidance to Cleveland Police on a range of ethical dilemmas;
- Scrutinising the police’s use of stop and search powers and force;
- Advising on Cleveland OPCC and Cleveland Police policy development, making sure that new policies reflect the needs of young people and do not impact them adversely;
- Acting as a critical friend to the force and OPCC by calling out any issues, which cause them concern;
- Supporting the OPCC Communications Team to develop campaigns targeted at young people.
YAG members will come from all four Cleveland boroughs and a range of backgrounds. In addition, they will also have a host of life experiences.
Young people interested in becoming Youth Advisory Group members should contact Phil Dolphin at [email protected] before Monday 12 December 2022.