RESIDENTS have been invited to join a committee that will help determine major policing issues on the Isle of Wight and in Hampshire.
The new Hampshire Police and Crime Panel (PCP) is to be established as part of the same shake-up that will lead to the introduction of police commissioners later this year.
The panel is to recruit two people from Hampshire and the Island to serve as co-opted members.
A spokesman said: "The PCP has been established as part of the new governance and accountability arrangements for policing in the two counties of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. It held its first meeting in June.
"It will scrutinise and support the work of the new Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) who will be elected in November when the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight go to the polls to vote for one person to oversee police and crime policy. The new commissioner will take office on November 22.
"Although the Police and Crime Commissioner is ultimately accountable to the electorate via the ballot box, the commissioner will be required to consult with the panel on plans and budget for policing, as well as the level of council tax and the appointment of a chief constable. The Panel will also maintain a regular check and balance on the performance of the Commissioner.
"At this time, the Police and Crime Panel comprises of 15 Councillors (one from each of the local authorities within the Hampshire Policing Area including Hampshire County Council, the 11 district and borough councils in Hampshire, and the unitary authorities for Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton).
"The Panel will appoint an additional three Councillors (subject to the permission of the Secretary of State) to help reflect Hampshire and the Isle of Wight's political balance."
Chairman of the panel and Isle of Wight Councillor, David Stewart — a former police officer — said: "The role of a panel member will be an important and demanding one and we are seeking two committed and energetic residents to serve as co-opted independent members from summer 2012, for a four year term.
The Panel wishes to reflect the breadth of communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and it would welcome applications from anyone eligible to be considered.
"This is an exciting opportunity to be involved from the start of new, and very different, arrangements, for police governance and accountability."
The closing date for applications is 31 August 2012
For more information about how to apply and to download an application pack, visit http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hampshire-pcp/pcp-members/pcp-recruitment.htm