Minutes

Minutes of the Professional Standards & Complaints Committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 11 September 2003 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members:

• Reshard Auladin (Chair)
• Jennette Arnold (items 1-8)
• Elizabeth Howlett (Deputy Chair)
• Nicholas Long
• Richard Sumray
• Rachel Whittaker
• Cecile Wright

MPA Officers:

• Catherine Crawford (Clerk)
• David Riddle (Deputy Clerk)
• Alan Johnson (Head of Human Resources and Professional Standards)
• Nick Baker (Committee Services)

MPS Officers:

• Barbara Wilding (Deputy Assistant Commissioner – Director of Professional Standards)
• Ian Southcote (Detective Chief Superintendent – Director of Professional Standards)

Also present: Sir Ronnie Flanagan (HMIC)

Part 1

1. Apologies

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies for absence were received.

2. Declarations of interests from members of the committee

(Agenda item 2)

No declarations of interests were given by members.

3. Minutes

(Agenda item 3)

The Committee received the minutes of the Professional Standards and Complaints Committee meeting held on 16 June 2003 and noted the minutes (Part 1) of the ACPO Conduct Sub-Committee meetings held on 4, 14 and 25 July 2003.

Resolved – That the minutes of the Professional Standards and Complaints Committee meeting held on 16 June 2003 be agreed and signed as a correct record, and the minutes (Part 1) of the ACPO Conduct Sub-Committee meetings held on 4, 14 and 25 July 2003 be noted.

4. Chair’s and members’ update

(Agenda item 4)

No up dates were made.

5. Presentation from HMIC

(Agenda item 5)

The Committee welcomed Sir Ronnie Flanagan from the Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), who gave a brief presentation on the work of the HMIC and the importance of professional standards role in all aspects of policy to ensure an effective and efficient police service.

The presentation outlined details of the inspection process and it was noted that HMIC had used MPS professional standards practices as a model of good practice for other services. It was also noted that HMIC and IPCC were working on a protocol on their roles within inspection to avoid duplication.

Members discussed proportionality issues and the role of members in monitoring complaints. Arising from this discussion the Committee welcomed Sir Ronnie Flanagan’s offer to assist in further developing the Authority’s process for monitoring of complaints and discipline.

Resolved – That the presentation be noted.

6. Complaints management information

(Agenda item 6)

The Committee received a report that outlined details of complaints management information for the period August 2002 to July 2003. It focused on the key changes and exceptions, as the nature of the figures and emerging trends are slow to change.

In welcoming the general reduction in the time it took to respond to complaints from the public, concern was expressed in the continuing delays in responding to those complaints that were over the ‘120-day’ period. The MPS confirmed that discussions were continuing with the Crown Prosecution Service and Police Complaints Authority regarding this matter and that internal MPS arrangements may have to be reviewed.

Members sought reassurance that the timescale for personal security vetting process would improve, particularly as this was impacting on the recruitment process. Confirmation was given that additional resources were being directed into the vetting process and improvements were expected.

Members also highlighted the high number of employment tribunals among ethnic staff and were informed that the MPS were working to improve this area.

Resolved – That the report and revisions to Appendices 1 and 3 be noted.

7. Monitoring of police complaints and discipline

(Agenda item 7)

The Clerk informed the Committee that the process of monitoring police complaints and discipline needed to be revisited and that the Authority would take up the offer from Sir Ronnie Flanagan (HMIC) of providing suggestions on process issues.

Resolved - That the Clerk, in consultation with Sir Ronnie Flanagan (HMIC), work on a process for monitoring police complaints and discipline.

8. The use of restorative conferencing in the police complaints procedure

(Agenda item 8)

The Committee considered a report that outlined the details of the pilot that the MPS Directorate of Professional Standards would like to operate using restorative conferencing in the complaints procedure.

In welcoming the proposal, members raised concerns about the evaluation process since this was to be undertaken by those that had deigned the pilot.

The Committee also discussed the introduction of a conciliation process and the need to investigate how other organisations have introduced this process and seek best practice examples. It was suggested that, should a conciliation process be developed, it should be an independent.

Resolved – That

1. the Committee support the pilot scheme to be run by Internal Investigation Command, North East in the use of restorative conference in the police complaints procedure; and
2. the MPS examine ways of developing independent conciliation process as part of their restorative justice work and that a report be presented to a future meeting of the Committee on these developments.

9. MPS Professional Standards Strategy – presentation on progress (Strand 3)

(Agenda item 9)

The Committee received a presentation from Commander Cressida Dick that updated members on the Professional Standards Strategy – Strand 3 diversity.

The presentation explained that the aim was to ‘ensure that both the professional standards set and their means of maintenance and enforcement reflect and are sensitive to the diversity of our communities and staff’.

Commander Dick focused on:

• Research into the possibility of perceived or actual disproportionality in professional standards matters;
• Ensuring compliance with Race Relations (Amendment) Act;
• Improving measures of public / staff confidence in all MPS processes;
• Developing processes to make the most effective use of support and advice regarding policy and practice emanating from staff associations, independent advisors etc; and
• Developing a system of ethical 'health checks'.

The presentation also focused on domestic violence and police staff. Members welcomed the positive action being taken on domestic violence issues and flexible working. Members sought clarification on the monitoring of diversity professional standards.

The MPS agreed to look at ways in which assistance could be provided to the newly establish Disabled Support Association.

Resolved – That members note the presentation.

10. Lead member role

(Agenda item 10)

The Committee received a report that sought nominations for lead members for particular areas of the committees work.

Resolved – That

1. the Committee note the report ;and
2. noted that no further nominations were received.

11. Casework committee

(Agenda item 11)

A report was received that proposed a merger of the ACPO Conduct Sub-Committee and the Pensions Forfeiture Sub-Committee to form a new Casework Committee.

Members did not support the merger of the sub-committees at this stage and suggested that this be re-considered at the establishment of the new Authority in July 2004.

However, members acknowledged that when the existing membership of the sub-committees were not available, the Clerk be given delegated authority to select other members for a meeting, from the membership of the Authority as a whole.

Resolved – That the Clerk, in relation to the ACPO Conduct Sub-Committee, be given delegated authority to select other members for meeting of the sub-committees from the membership of the Authority as a whole.

12. Professional Standards and Complaints Committee work plan

(Agenda item 12)

The Committee received a draft work plan for approval for 2003/04.

In addition to the items provided within the plan, members noted that sanction guidelines would be presented to the November 2003 meeting of the Committee and requested an item on high profile employment tribunals be presented to the January 2004 meeting.

Resolved – That, subject to members comments, the work plan be approved.

13. Exclusion of press and public

(Agenda item 13)

A resolution was put to exclude the press and public from the meeting during items 14 and 15 as it was likely to disclose exempt information as described in Schedule 12(a) (1) and (14) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Resolved – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during discussion of agenda items 14 and 15.

Part 2

14. Quarterly summary of exceptional and significant case results

(Agenda item 14)

The Committee received a quarterly summary of exceptional and significant case results which contained details and outcomes of 45 civil trials, employment tribunals, misconduct cases, settlements and selected inquests for the period April 2003 – August 2003.

Arising from one particular case, members expressed serious concerns that following a settlement, some officers involved in the case remained at the same station/borough. Members were particularly concerned that this could lead to future problems for the individuals involved, the officers concerned and the possible effects on community confidence.

Resolved - That the report be received.

15. Minutes

(Agenda item 15)

The Committee noted the minutes (Part 2) of the ACPO Conduct Sub-Committee meetings held on 4, 14 and 25 July 2003.

Resolved – That the minutes of the ACPO Conduct Sub-Committee meetings held on 4, 14 and 25 July 2003 be noted.

The Committee closed at 4.40 p.m.

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback