Minutes

Minutes of the Professional Standards and Performance Monitoring Committee meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 11 October 2001 at Romney House, Westminster, London SW1.

Present

Members

• Richard Sumray (in the Chair for items 1 to 4, 7, 13 to 19)
• Elizabeth Howlett (Deputy Chair, in the Chair for items 5 and 6, 12, 20 and 21)
• Anthony Arbour (items 1 to 18)
• Jennette Arnold (items 1-16)
• Reshard Auladin
• Lynne Featherstone (Items 1-16)
• R David Muir
• Rachel Whittaker

MPA staff

• Catherine Crawford (Clerk)
• Johanna Gillians (Senior Analyst)

MPS staff

• Ian Blair (Deputy Commissioner)
• Commander Alan Shave
• Andy Hayman (DAC, Head of Professional Standards)
• Commander Philip Hagon
• Tim Godwin (DAC)
• Carol McDonald
• Katie Dodd

Also present: Nicholas Long (items 1-7), Superintendent David Commins and Inspector David Howe (Public Order Branch – for item 4 only)

In addition, approximately 18 members of the press/public and other MPA/MPS staff were present.

Part 1

128. Apologies

(Agenda item 1)

No apologies were received.

129. Minutes of meeting: 12 July 2001

(Agenda item 2)

The minutes of the Committee meeting held 12 July 2001 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

130. Chair's and members' update

(Agenda item 3)

Elizabeth Howlett reported that she had recently visited Cannon Row Police Station.

131. Presentation on public order

(Agenda item 4)

The Committee welcomed Superintendent David Commins and Inspector David Howe from the Public Order Branch who gave a presentation to the Committee on public order and in particular policing London football matches.

The presentation focused on the cost of policing London football matches and on how much the MPS had recovered those costs. Arising from the presentation, Members suggested that the cost recovery issue should be pursued at both a borough level, with borough commanders discussing this matter with the individual clubs and with the Football Association directly.

The Deputy Commissioner also sought approval for a mandate to influence the forthcoming White Paper on the Police Reform Programme which would encourage clubs to use more stewards inside a football ground, thus allowing for police to resource areas outside a stadium and enhance a wider policing family.

The Committee thanks the officers for the informative presentation.

Resolved – That

1. the MPS continue to pursue cost recovery for policing London football clubs with individual clubs and the Football Association; and
2. that the Committee support the Deputy Commissioner in approaching the Home Office to amend the guidance for recovery for the policing outside events and to seek an amendment to the public order white paper on this issue.

132. Demand and response

(Agenda item 5)

The Committee considered a report that outlined the levels of demand and described initiatives to manage demand and improved performance. The report also provided Members with an update on the performance of the MPS in answering and responding 999 calls.

The Deputy Commissioner confirmed that there had been a dramatic rise in the number of calls and that initiatives were being put in place to meet this increase. He added that to maintain the current levels of service the Authority would be approached for further financial support.

It was noted that the projected efficiency savings for the MPS by the new automated system had been costed at £1,450 a day (£530,000 for a full year).

Resolved – That the Committee note the arrangements being implemented by the MPS to meet the increase in demand and improve performance.

133. August performance report

(Agenda item 6)

The Committee considered the overview of MPS performance against the targets in the policing plan for August 2001.

The Deputy Commissioner in presenting the report acknowledged that targets for street crime and persistent young offenders were not being met and that the MPS need to improve in these areas. He also raised serious concerns relating to gun related crimes that had shown an increase. However, the Deputy Commissioner was pleased to report that targets in the fight against drug related crimes were being met.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

134. Deaths in police custody

(Agenda item 7)

The Committee considered a report that outlined how the MPS responds to and investigates deaths in police custody. The report discussed related issues such as the suspension of police officers and the impact of such deaths on the person's family. A covering report was also considered by the Committee that brought together previous discussions on this issues and proposals for the full Authority to take this issue further by commissioning four related reports at a future Authority meeting.

Members suggested that clarity was required on the role of the MPA, and in particular, how involved individual Members of the Authority should become with affected families.

Members also acknowledged the benefits from the pilot scheme undertaken by Charing Cross Police Station and the Royal College of Nurses in having a nurse in the custody area.

In conclusion, the Committee agreed that Consultation, Diversity and Outreach Committee (CDO) would receive for information the new report prepared for PSPM and the full Authority should now consider deaths in police custody, which should include information on police officers right to silence and the role of the new independent police complaints authority. The latter could usefully be based on a paper received by PSPM earlier in the year. This Committee would come back to the whole issue in due course.

Resolved – That

1. the report be noted;
2. the CDO Committee receive this report on deaths in police custody for information; and
3. that the full Authority now consider deaths in police custody and that in doing so the full Authority include issues relating to police officers' right to silence and the role of new police complaints authority.

135. Street crime trends and action

(Agenda item 8)

Members received a report that gave an overview of street crime trends in London and which reviewed short, medium and long term actions currently taking place.

Members welcomed the initiatives being undertaken by the MPS in dealing with street crime, including those operating with schools. Commander Shave also informed the Committee that the new Policing Crime Model would be implemented shortly and the Implementation Strategy Document should be presented to the Authority in the spring 2002.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

136. Operation crackdown

(Agenda item 9)

The Committee received a report on Operation Crackdown, the operation designed to reduce drug related crime by prioritising and co-ordinating enforcement and intelligence gathering activities.

Arising from the discussion the Deputy Commissioner raised concerns that funding for arrest referral work was due to expire in March 2002.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

137. Review of performance target – rape

(Agenda item 10)

Members were informed that the policing plan 2001/2002 had adopted rape as a priority. However, following the failure to achieve funding to provide rape havens for the whole of London it was unlikely that performance targets could be met. Therefore, Members were asked to consider a report that sought a reduction in the expected MPS judicial disposal target.

In considering the current rape target Members acknowledged the financial implications and restraints that could result in a failure to meet the proposed judicial disposal target, but concluded that the target should remain as set and reviewed later, as it would in any event have been difficult to have established rape havens until much later in the year.

The Committee suggested that further work be carried out on the effects of sexual referral centres and this be considered be the Rape Scrutiny Committee.

Resolved – That the rape judicial disposal target remain unchanged.

138. Summary of anti-social behaviour initiatives

(Agenda item 11)

The current Policing and Performance Plan does not include a MPS wide objective or performance indicator for tackling anti-social behaviour. Instead, boroughs were required to develop their own localised plans.

The Committee now considered a report that provided Members with an overview of the type of anti social behaviour each borough is tackling and the progress they are marking so far this year.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

139. Operation castille (update on operation strongbox)

(Agenda item 12)

The Committee considered a report that gave details of Operation Strongbox and in particular the performance in the London Borough of Haringey, code-named Operation Castille.

The Deputy Commissioner reported that Operation Castille has proved very successful and that this could be due to the additional resources made available.

In response to Members, the Deputy Commissioner confirmed that the community, which had been supportive of the operation, were being consulted on the operation

Resolved –That the report be received.

140. Member involvement in borough inspections

(Agenda item 13)

Members received a report that set out a protocol for involvement in the MPS Borough Operational Command Unit (BOCU) inspection programme. Members were reminded that this is a new programme of inspections that is compatible with the HMIC National Basic Command Unit (BCU) inspection programme.

Members were concerned that it was planned to take five days rather than the normal three days to inspect BCUs and whether it was right for the MPS to inspect itself. The Deputy Commissioner gave an example of the process as used during a recent inspection at Bromley.

With regard to Member involvement in the inspection process, Members requested that they be provided with dates in advance of the inspections. The Clerk agreed to circulate a letter to all link Members outlining their role in inspections, details of how the MPA can support link Members in any analysis of inspection reports and providing, where available, dates of inspections.

The Committee agreed that a report on the inspection process be considered at a future meeting and that this report includes details on how Members should be involved with meeting inspectors alone and other with other consultees.

Resolved - That

1. the report and protocol be noted;
2. the Clerk circulate a letter to link Members outlining their role in inspections, support that can be provided during an inspection and if available, dates of future inspections; and
3. a report on the inspection process be considered at a future meeting of the Committee.

141. Introduction of the ACPO National Crime Recording Standard to MPS

(Agenda item 14)

Following proposals from the Home Office to review crime statistics, ACPO Chief Constables' Council had agreed to introduce the new National Crime Standard (NCRS) across all police services in England and Wales by 1 April 2002. The Committee were invited to consider the implications of this decision on the MPS and the action that has been put in operation to ensure the MPS can meet these new requirements within the given timescale.

Members noted that the introduction of NCRS would lead to an increase in the number of crimes recorded by the MPS and could have implications for the MPA when setting future targets.

Resolved – That

1. the Committee note the report and the creation of the NCRS Implementation Project;
2. the Committee note the links made with the Corporate Planning Working Group, and thus the Planning Panel by the inclusion of the project Manager for NCRS so as to take into account the likely effects of the introduction of NCRS on MPA target setting; and
3. Richard Sumray be the link Member for this issue; and
4. any additional costs be contained within existing estimates.

142. Proposed process for reporting on DPS performance and development projects

(Agenda item 15)

Members received a report that proposed that the MPS Directorate of professional Standards (DPS) report to the MPA on four issues:

• timeliness and quality;
• progress on implementing the DPS Best Value action plan;
• progress on the DPS 3 year development plan; and
• progress on issues raised in the 2000/01 HMIC Inspection of the MPS.

The principle would be that the Committee would receive summaries of key performance indicators and hold DPS to account three times a year on the progress on complaints investigations and the progress on preventing complaints and strengthening integrity.

This would result in the replacement of the current quarterly reports to the MPA and each June the PSPM Committee would receive a report on the previous year's performance.

The Committee would also at alternate meetings receive reports on best value, DPS development work and HMIC recommendations, grouped around the themes of investigations.

Resolved – That

1. the Committee, at each meeting, receive a report on investigative performance and misconduct, which would include a summary of key performance indicators and at the June (or nearest) meeting receive a report on the previous year's performance ; and
2. the Committee at alternate meetings, receive reports on best value, DPS development work and HMIC recommendations, grouped around the themes of investigations.

143. Timeliness of complaint investigations

(Agenda item 16)

The Committee considered a report that updated Members on the efforts being made by the MPS to improve performance regarding timeliness of complaint investigations.

Members agreed that the current backlog in investigating complaints was unacceptable.

MPS officers confirmed that initiatives were being worked on to reduce this backlog and these included discussions with the Police Complaints Authority on 'fast tracking' some complaints. In addition, MPS officers acknowledged that there was a need to take account of the emotional aspects of some complaints for both of the families and officers involved.

The Chair also added that there could be other outside forces, which caused delay in dealing with complaints, and that this and a greater clarity of associated financial implications needed to be reviewed.

Resolved – That

1. the report be noted: and
2. the timeliness of complaints investigations be continued to be monitored and that the Committee receive a further report on implementation of proposed actions

144. Best Value Review of complaints

(Agenda item 17)

This item was deferred to the December meeting of the Committee.

145. Public complaints against the MPS – quarterly update

(Agenda item 18)

The Committee considered a report that gave an update on the level and type of public complaints made against the MPS. The report gave a breakdown of complaints by borough and per 100 officers. It also summarised performance during 2000/01 and for the first quarter 2001/02.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

146. Action plan update

(Agenda item 19)

Following the review of a series of complaints, an action plan was agreed to ensure implementation of the recommendations arising from the subsequent review.

As previously requested, the Committee now considered a report that updated them on progress made.

Arising from the discussion Members agreed that it would be useful to receive an overall report following the completion of the inquiry into these complaints.

Resolved – That

1. the report be noted; and
2. a further report be presented to the Committee following the conclusion of the inquiry.

147. Exclusion of press and public

(Agenda item 20)

A resolution was put to exclude the press and public from the meeting during agenda item 21 as it was likely to disclose exempt information as described in Schedule 12(a) (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Resolved - That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the following items of business.

148. Police regulations

(Agenda item 21.)

It was agreed that this item should be should be deferred to the sub-group set up to considered this issue. Members also revised the membership of the Group.

Resolved – That

1. this item be deferred to the Police Regulations sub-group; and
2. the membership of the Group be Elizabeth Howlett, Reshard Auladin, R David Muir and Rachel Whittaker.

The meeting closed at 5.20 p.m.

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