A NEW police complaints panel is to be set up in the Thames Valley because of national concerns over the integrity of the force – and volunteers from the area are needed to join it.

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, Anthony Stansfeld, has announced that the Complaints, Integrity and Ethics Panel is to be established.

It is intended to provide a “transparent forum that monitors and encourages constructive challenge over the way complaints, integrity and ethics issues are handled by Thames Valley Police and overseen by the PCC”

The panel will be made up of a group of independent volunteers and the PCC is currently looking for people to apply.

Mr Stansfeld said: “Due to the current national concerns over police integrity there is now an accepted need for the development of a robust, independent and transparent system to be established.

“I have decided to set up this Panel to ensure that integrity and ethical issues are prioritised in order to maintain public confidence in policing.”

Anybody interested in becoming a member of the Complaints, Integrity and Ethics Panel can find out more information, including details on eligibility, by going to www.thamesvalley-pcc.gov.uk or calling 01865 846782 The closing date for applications is 12pm on Friday, January 31.