Contents
Report 05 for the 12 Oct 00 meeting of the MPA Committee and discusses proposed general principles of conduct for members and on the content of a model code of conduct.
Warning: This is archived material and may be out of date. The Metropolitan Police Authority has been replaced by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPC).
See the MOPC website for further information.
Local Government Act 2000 - general principles and model code of conduct
Report: 7
Meeting: Metropolitan Police Authority
Date: 12 October 2000
By: Clerk
Summary
This report seeks views from the Authority on proposed general principles of conduct for members and on the content of a model code of conduct. It further seeks views on whether members and staff should meanwhile be asked individually to complete an Anti-Discrimination Code of Conduct prepared and circulated by the APA in October 1999.
A. Supporting information
1. The Local Government Act 2000 received Royal Assent on 28 July. Amongst other things it introduces a new ethical framework that will apply to police authorities as well as to local authorities and similar bodies.
2. In brief, the Act provides for:
- The Government to develop “General Principles” to govern the ethical conduct of authority members
- A model code or codes of conduct - all police authorities will be expected to have a local code of conduct which incorporates the model code
- A statutory code of conduct for police authority staff
- All authorities to have a Standards Committee to give support and advice on conduct issues. This must include one person who is not a member of the authority.
- A national Standards Board and case tribunals to investigate alleged breaches of the code
- An enhanced role for monitoring officers.
2. General Principles and Model Code of Conduct
4. APA Circular 41/2000 seeks police authorities’ views on the general principles and model code of conduct which should apply to police authority members. Attached are:
- A DETR consultation paper on the proposed general principles of conduct (Appendix 1).
- A consultation paper prepared by the Local Government Association discussing the issues to be addressed in a model code of conduct (Appendix 2).
5. The APA wish to submit a corporate response to the exercise reflecting the views of all police authorities. Authorities are asked to comment particularly on the points raised in the note at Appendix 3. The deadline for comments is 27 October.
Interim code
6. As the provisions of the Act would not take effect for some time, the APA proposed last October that individual police authorities might wish to consider asking their members to sign an anti-discrimination code of conduct in the interim.
7. The letter and proposed anti-discrimination code are at Appendix 4. I understand that many existing police authorities have agreed to adopt this code pending the coming into force of the Local Government Act 2000, and the MPA may wish to do the same.
B. Recommendations
- That the Authority note the enactment of the Local Government Act 2000 and its main features.
- That the Authority determine what comments it would wish to make on the general principles and model code of conduct which should apply to police authority members, focusing particularly on the points in Appendix 3.
- That the Authority determine if members should be asked in the interim to sign the APA’s model Anti-Discrimination code of conduct.
C. Financial implications
There are no financial implications arising from the report.
D. Review arrangements
The APA Secretariat is working with a group of advisers to develop guidance and advice for police authorities on developing Standards Committees and on the new disciplinary framework. When this is available, a further report will be brought to the MPA.
E. Background papers
The following is a statutory list of background papers (under the Local Government Act 1972 S.100 D) which disclose facts or matters on which the report is based and which have been relied on to a material extent in preparing this report. They are available on request to either the contact officer listed above or to the Clerk to the Police Authority at the address indicated on the agenda.
None.
F. Contact details
The author of this report is Peter Edwards.
For information contact:
MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18
Appendix 3
| Name of body/organisation: Crimestoppers | |
|---|---|
| Role and purpose | MPA action |
| The Trust’s role is to co-ordinate the community side of the partnerships with the police. Calls made to Crimestoppers are received by police officers trained in Crimestoppers procedures. The Trust’s job is to make sure that the phone keeps ringing, by promoting and explaining the scheme to the public at large. It operates through a number of voluntary regional boards around the country. | Membership not required, however, Chair may wish to maintain on-going relationship. |
| Name of body/organisation: Police Complaints Authority (PCA) | |
| Role and purpose | MPA action |
| The PCA is an independent body set up by the Government to oversee public complaints against police officers in the 43 police services in England and Wales, plus the British Transport, Ministry of Defense, Port of Liverpool, Port of Tilbury, Royal Parks and UKAEA police. The PCA can investigate complaints made by members of the public or referred directly by police services. | Recent contact with the PCA has indicated a strong interest in establishing relations with the MPA. The MPA Chair may wish to meet with the PCA Chair, Sir Alistair Graham, and thereafter remit responsibility for maintaining relations with the Professional Standards & Performance Monitoring Committee. |
| Name of body/organisation: Black Police Association | |
| Role and purpose | MPA action |
| Seeks to improve the working environment of Black personnel within the MPS by: •Providing a support network. •Providing a social network. •Working with staff associations. •Working towards improved relations between the police and black people. •Assisting in improving recruitment procedures and promoting retention. •Assisting in developing new and existing policies. | Membership not required. Chair has already met with Chair of BPA. Suggest delegate to Consultation, Diversity & Outreach Committee for maintaining relationship and monitoring. Human Resources Committee may also have a legitimate role in engaging with BPA, however, recommend that Consultation, Diversity & Outreach Committee should be main contact |
| Name of body/organisation: SOLACE | |
| Role and purpose | MPA action |
| To provide tailor-made, relevant and practical support to local government and other public sector bodies. | Membership not required. Recommend that MPA Chair establish relationship. FPBV Committee could be remitted to maintain relationship. |
| Name of body/organisation: National Neighbourhood Watch Association (NNWA) | |
| Role and purpose | MPA action |
| The NNWA exists to support, promote and represent the Neighbourhood Watch movement across the UK. The NNWA has been in existence since Nov. 1995 and has the full support of the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers. The NNWA strives with the Police, Local Authorities and other partners to encourage greater participation in the development of effective measures to improve community safety. | Membership not required. Recommend that MPA Chair establish relationship and Consultation, Diversity & Outreach Committee in relation with Crime and Disorder responsibilities. |
| Name of body/organisation: Audit Commission | |
| Role and purpose | MPA action |
| Appoints auditors to all local authorities and NHS bodies in England and Wales, and helps to bring about improvements in economy, efficiency and effectiveness through value for money studies and the audit process. | Membership not required. Recommend that MPA Chair establish relationship. Finance, Planning & Best Value and Audit Committees are ‘natural’ homes for maintaining relationship, once key purpose has been defined. |
| Name of body/organisation: Black Londoners' Forum | |
| Role and purpose | MPA action |
| Provide information on the workings of the GLA (and to discuss them from a Black grass roots perspective). Promote a modern equal opportunities agenda. Encourage and inspire greater political participation and ensure that Black communities concerns over policy proposals and policy developments. Promote an inclusive and dynamic cultural identity that reflects the diversity of the capital. | MPA has been invited to seek membership, which is free. Recommend that MPA Chair establish relationship. Consultation, Diversity & Outreach Committee could be remitted to maintain relationship linked with its consultation responsibilities. |
| Name of body/organisation: Community & Race Relations Training Advisory Committee | |
| Role and purpose | MPA action |
| Provides advice and guidance in relation to the Home Office contract with Ionann Management Consultants for the provision of specialist support for the police in community and race relations training. The function of the Advisory Committee is to provide a wider perspective on the general direction of the contractor's work and how that can contribute to operational policing. | MPA Consultation, Diversity & Outreach Committee has been invited to nominate a representative to serve on the Advisory Committee. |
| Name of body/organisation: London Wide Police Community Consultative Groups | |
| Role and purpose | MPA action |
| Policing must be by consent and the police have traditionally consulted their local communities. Groups provide a means of consultation between the community and the police on all matters relating to the policing of a London borough, so that there is cooperation in reducing crime. Each group should aim to review and understand policing in their borough, help to establish good relationships between the police and the community, and work towards a well informed and peaceful community. Working in partnership with the police, the council, and other agencies to assist with solutions to local problems. | MPA/MPS Best Value Review Project will bring recommendations to the Consultation, Diversity & Outreach Committee. |
| Name of body/organisation: INQUEST | |
| Role and purpose | MPA action |
| INQUEST was founded in 1981 by friends and families of people who had died in custody to campaign against police and prison related deaths and for changes to the coroner’s court system. INQUEST monitors deaths in custody throughout Britain - in police custody and at the hands of the police, in prison, in young offenders institutions and in immigration detention centres. | Recommend that MPA Chair establish initial contact Professional Standards & Performance Monitoring Committee may be most appropriate committee to maintain relations. |
| Name of body/organisation: Forensic Science Society | |
| Role and purpose | MPA action |
| The Forensic Science Society was founded in 1959 with the aim, to advance the study, application and standing of forensic science and to facilitate co-operation among persons interested in forensic science and the administration of justice throughout the world. The Society’s quarterly publication Science & Justice with its Professional, Scientific & Technical Sections, together with meetings and proceedings, aims to encourage education and research. | Recommend that MPA Chair establish initial contact. Professional Standards & Performance Monitoring Committee may be most appropriate committee to maintain relations. |
| Name of body/organisation: Crime Concern | |
| Role and purpose | MPA action |
| No information currently available. | May be most appropriate for Consultation, Diversity & Outreach Committee to establish relations. |
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