Who is my Police and Your Voice Whether you have been directly affected by crime, know How can I get involved? someone who has or have witnessed something, they are Throughout the year, the Commissioner runs a number of As a volunteer, you are there to represent the community and Crime Commissioner? there for you. community focus groups and visits, public surveys and events all applications will be considered. No formal qualifications Your Police and Crime Commissioner, to ensure you have the opportunity to share your views on Contact Victim Focus on 0300 30 30 161. The team are are needed and training will be given. You must be over 18 , is an elected matters relating to your local policing. Engaging with the available to speak with you: Monday – Friday 8am–8pm years old and live or work in the South Police area to representative who works to ensure community provides the Commissioner with a richer picture Visit their website: www.southwalesvictimfocus.org.uk apply. We would like to hear from you if you are interested in Police is running effectively. of local concerns and enables him to better undertake his human rights, can be independent and impartial and enjoy His aim is to cut crime and maintain an effective and efficient duty to hold the force to account on your behalf. talking and listening to people. Visit our custody visiting police service as well as holding the Chief Constable to page on our website to find out more. Please note that other If you would like to involve the Commissioner or his team in account. The Commissioner is the ‘voice of the public’ and volunteering opportunities exist in South Wales Police e.g. you aims to ensure that the policing and safety concerns of our a local event that you’re organising, ask him to meet with a could become a Special Constable or Police Youth Volunteer. local community group, or provide an input at an event, diverse communities are heard and addressed. Volunteering Opportunities Visit the South Wales Police website to find out more. please contact us: Do you have some time to spare? Would you like to EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED TO EVERYTHING ELSE What are the Commissioner’s [email protected] volunteer? Are you interested in human rights? Complaints against the Chief Constable responsibilities? SOUTH WALES The Commissioner is directly responsible for handling POLICE & CRIME You can also join our mailing list to be kept informed If so... you could be an Independent Custody Visitor. PLAN 2019-23 complaints made against the Chief Constable, but has Some of the Commissioner’s duties include: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY of upcoming events, surveys and newsletters. The Commissioner is responsible for volunteer visiting oversight of the local complaints process. If you have a • Setting the local policing priorities, Supporting Victims and schemes, which aim to provide reassurance to our complaint about the personal conduct of the Chief communities about how the police go about their day to published in a Police and Crime Plan. Witnesses of Crime Constable, this complaint will need to be made to the day work in South Wales in two key areas: • Consulting with and involving the public Improving outcomes for victims of Commissioner, who will handle your complaint in line with police complaints legislation. (See the Commissioner’s about matters relating to policing. crime is a key priority for the The Independent Custody contact details overleaf in the red area). • Setting the annual police budget and Commissioner. This is set out in his Visiting Scheme police council tax precept. Police and Crime Plan, which ... is designed to check on people Complaints against a member of the outlines his commitment to work to protect the most detained in police custody to ensure • Scrutinising, supporting and challenging Police and Crime Commissioner’s team vulnerable individuals in our communities. they are being fairly treated in the performance of the force. The South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner’s staff are accordance with their human rights. The Commissioner and his team work with partners and committed to providing the highest possible standards of • Collaborating with other forces and service providers to explore what services people need and service. However, there may be circumstances when you criminal justice agencies. The Animal Welfare identify gaps in current provision. Local victims are also feel that the conduct of a staff member falls below the Visiting Scheme • Administering an Independent Custody consulted to establish their needs. required standard. You have the right to complain to the ... is designed to provide an Visiting Scheme (to check on the welfare Commissioner’s Chief Executive if this happens. What if I, or someone I know has been independent check on the way the of people held in police custody). (See the Commissioner’s contact details overleaf in the police look after animals in their care, affected by crime? red area). • Appointing and, if necessary, through regular visits to South Wales dismissing the Chief Constable. South Wales Victim Focus is a local service run by the national and independent charity, Victim Support and is Police’s Dog and Mounted Section. • Investigating complaints against the funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner. It provides Chief Constable and monitoring complaints help and support to anyone in South Wales affected by Why are these schemes important? against other officers and staff. crime. South Wales Victim Focus is not part of the police, the Volunteers play a very important role for the Commissioner. The Commissioner and his team work in partnership with courts or any other criminal justice agency. Their service is The independent checks by members of the community aim a range of agencies at a local and national level to create free, confidential and available whether or not the crime to provide public reassurance that detainees are treated a unified approach to preventing and reducing crime across has been reported and regardless of when it happened. fairly and in accordance with the law and that the South Wales. For more information visit: appropriate standards of animal health and welfare are www.southwalescommissioner.org.uk maintained for police dogs and horses. Complaints against the Police and Our priorities Crime Commissioner South Wales Police, led by the Commissioner If you feel that the Commissioner has acted in a manner which and Chief Constable will... you feel has fallen below the standards expected, you can To find out more about your complain to the Police and Crime Panel, which is responsible Reduce and prevent Commissioner follow us via: for holding the Commissioner to account. Complaints made crime and anti-social against the Commissioner can be made in writing to: behaviour to keep Police and Crime Panel Chair people safe and confident in their County Borough Council, Civic Centre, Involve and empower homes and /commissionersw Castle Street, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8AN our communities, communities. working with partners in local government, www.southwalescommissioner.org.uk Complaints against South Wales Police health, fire and Or contact us via: If you feel that the service provided by South Wales Police Work to protect the to most vulnerable in has fallen below the standards expected, you have a right to deliver services that 01656 869366 our communities, complain. Complaints relating to the actions of a police people need. [email protected] understanding causes officer, a police staff member or an operational policy are and taking prompt South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, required to be considered and investigated by the Work to make the positive action as Police Headquarters, Road, Professional Standards Department. issues arise. local criminal justice system efficient and CF31 3SU To contact PSD: effective to meet the Post: Professional Standards Department, South Wales Police We welcome correspondence in English and Welsh. needs of victims and Headquarters, Cowbridge Road, Bridgend CF31 3SU Make our wider contribution to reduce re-offending. Telephone: 01656 761860 policing through the Email: [email protected] strategic policing Person: You can complain in person at any police station requirement, Spend your money Online: https://www.south-wales.police.uk/en/contact- including successfully wisely and support us/making-a-complaint/ policing major events. our people to provide If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your complaint, the best possible you have the right of appeal to the Independent Office for policing in your Police Conduct (IOPC). You will need to contact the IOPC community. within 28 days of receiving notification informing you of the outcome of your complaint. This document is also available in Welsh. Contact via: Online: www.policeconduct.gov.uk Email: [email protected] Telephone: 0300 020 096 Your Post: Independent Office for Police Conduct Police and Crime PO Box 473, Sale M33 0BW Commissioner

Achieving more together towards a Safer South Wales