Welcoming the new Chair of the Independent Scrutiny of Police Powers Panel

PCC Clare Moody

“I am delighted to welcome Christa Christensen as the new Chair of the Independent Scrutiny of Police Powers Panel (ISoPPP).

“Christa brings extensive legal and judicial experience to the role, with a career spanning commercial law, employment law, training and leadership positions, and more than 25 years in the judiciary.

“I know that she will lead the panel with expertise, passion and commitment, to help me improve standards of policing and deliver effective scrutiny of Avon and Somerset Police.”

Christa Christensen, Chair of ISoPPP

Why did you join the ISoPPP?

“From my work within the judiciary, I have a good understanding of the importance of, and challenges involved in, ensuring that the public have trust in the public bodies that serve them. Public trust is not a given; it needs to be earned, is sometimes lost, and once lost is very difficult to retrieve.”

“The ISoPPP plays an important role in maintaining and improving this trust in Avon and Somerset Police. When I saw the role, I knew I wanted to be involved.

“I became a member of the panel in 2023 and am delighted to have now been elected by the panel as the new Chair.”

How does the ISoPPP deliver scrutiny and accountability in Avon and Somerset Police?

“The panel is made up of residents from across Avon and Somerset, helping to represent the public voice in policing.

“On behalf of the Police and Crime Commissioner, volunteers on the panel meet quarterly and review a sample of Body Worn Video footage of police officers who have conducted stop and searches or used force on members of the public. This may include use of handcuffs, restraints, tasers, batons or PAVA spray.

“We identify whether the use of force was appropriate and provide structured feedback and recommendations to the force. We ask important questions such as ‘was the amount of force used proportionate to the risk faced by officers’, ‘was the length of time force was used acceptable’, and ‘did the officer show empathy and concern for wellbeing?’

“The force is given five weeksto consider our recommendations and then revert to ISoPPP, setting out how they have responded to our recommendations.

“Whilst readily recognising that police officers undertake a demanding role which can put them into incredibly difficult, stressful, and fast-paced situations, it remains of key importance that their powers are exercised with legitimacy and in a way that does not undermine public trust.

“Through this independent scrutiny, we aim to increase levels of assurance, openness and transparency by the police, and help improve this trust in policing. It directly supports PCC Clare Moody’s Police and Crime Plan objective to ‘improve standards of policing.’”

What changes has ISoPPP delivered in Avon and Somerset Police?

“The panel regularly makes recommendations to Avon and Somerset Police, helping to identify good practice, areas of concern, and opportunities for improvement.

“Our recommendations have led to improvements in officer training, additional review of all Stop and Search incidents by the force, refreshed communications to frontline officers including better clarity around compliant handcuffing, a stronger feedback loop and audit trail, and significant improvements in the correct use of Body Worn Video by officers.

“Where we have observed behaviour that suggests that the policing service has fallen below the level of reasonable expectations, the panel can now make a formal recommendation that Avon and Somerset Police makes a direct, and prompt, apology and expression of regret. This is thanks to panel member Jenny Staples, who pushed for this ‘Duty of Candour’ to become a formal recommendation option from the panel. It is important that policing respects, listens, responds, and improves – including being open with the public and communicating with candour.

“We are also keen to recognise where officers have shown high standards of professional behaviour; we made changes to our process so we can ask for a Letter of Good Work to be sent to the officer on behalf of ISoPPP.”

What are your aims as Chair of the panel?

“As Chair, I will lead the panel in providing tangible and focused learning for Avon and Somerset Police, to ensure that police standards are improved by our feedback.

“I am working with two Deputy Chairs, Carly Cannings and Joya Pawade, and am very grateful to them for their support in achieving these objectives. 

“Together, we will continue to work with the PCC and her staff, who provide unwavering support in delivering effective scrutiny of police powers, and with Avon and Somerset Police, who have demonstrated strong commitment to working with ISoPPP to improve police standards.

“Considerable thanks go to my predecessor Chair, Des Brown – and to David Woodward before him – for the foundations they have built for independent scrutiny of the use of police powers and for the impact they have had.”