Arrangements for Members to monitor complaints and discipline

Report: 8
Date: 14 November 2000
By: Clerk

Summary

This paper outlines proposals for a training programme for Members of the Professional Standards and Performance Monitoring Committee in relation to Police Complaints and Discipline Procedures.

A. Supporting information

Training in complaints and discipline procedures

1. The Chair of the Committee recently met with Commander Hayman, MPS Professional Standards Directorate, to discuss arrangements for members to monitor complaints and discipline. It was agreed that ‘dip sampling’ case files without some background knowledge on the processes involved in compiling files might not prove to be particularly effective. A training programme for Members of the Professional Standards and Performance Monitoring Committee was suggested.

2. Training will be undertaken in two sessions, each of 2-3 hours duration.

1st session:

• Broad overview of Directorate of Professional Standards;
• Explanation of the working of Operations and Investigations, specifically the role of:
  • Internal Investigations Command (including investigation of deaths in custody, corrupt practices, etc);
  • Borough Support Command (including investigation of public complaints);
• Initial look at a case file.

2nd session:

• In-depth examination of the different types of case files.

2. The Chair recognises the difficulty in securing the attendance of all Committee Members for training on the same day and has suggested that it will probably be necessary to organise two separate dates for each of the two sessions. The aim is to complete the training programme early in the New Year. Dates for the first session have been set for 20 November and 18 December.

3. Once Members have a better understanding of the procedures, the longer term arrangements to monitor complaints and discipline will be considered

B. Recommendations

That members note the proposed arrangements for training.

C. Financial implications

There are no direct financial costs associated with this report.

D. Review arrangements

There are no review arrangements associated with this report.

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 either to 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 Richardson, MPA Police Liaison Officer.

For information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

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