Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of the Counter-Terrorism and Protective Services Sub-committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 25 November 2010 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Toby Harris (Chair)
• Reshard Auladin (Vice Chair)
• Neil Johnson
• James Cleverly

MPA officers

• Catherine Crawford (Chief Executive)
• Bob Atkins (Deputy Treasurer)
• Jane Owen (Head of Policing Planning and Performance Improvement)

MPS officers

• Stuart Osborne (DAC, SO)
• Neil Haynes (Strategic Advisor, SO)
• Duncan King (Lead Accountant, SO)
• Brian Sweeting (Director of Business Services, SO)
• Peter Spindler (Commander, SCD)
• Graham Stokes (Chief Inspector, CO3)
• Julian Jeffery (Chief Inspector, SO)
• and Alastair Jeffrey (DCS, SCD)

19. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

19.1 No apologies were received.

20. Declarations of interest

(Agenda item 2)

20.1 No declarations were received.

21. Minutes: Counter-Terrorism and Protective Services Sub-committee – 6 September 2010

(Agenda item 3)

Resolved – That the minutes of the Counter-Terrorism and Protective Services Sub-Committee held on 6 September 2010 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

22. Diversity in SO

(Agenda item 4)

22.1 Members received a report that outlined diversity data and issues within SO. The MPS summarized that although an upward trend in diversity levels has been recorded, progress has been slow. Activity to increase numbers of BME and female staff is on-going and the SO Career Management Unit has been formed as a dedicated unit to encourage recruitment into SO. Despite the recruitment freeze announced, the command remains committed to furthering diversity. Firearms training is being reviewed to determine whether it can be made more ‘female friendly’.

22.2 The MPS agreed to extend an invitation to MPA Members to attend the Firearms Awareness Event detailed at paragraph 14 of the report. They noted that ‘partners’ in this context referred to officer’s families, whereas paragraph 20 refers to strategic partners/partner agencies.

22.3 Members noted that many women had previously been unwilling to participate in firearms training and that there had been some suggestion that this was due to the physically imposing nature of the kit used. The MPS acknowledged these concerns and reaffirmed that work was on-going. They also suggested that techniques such as staff rotation should be considered to encourage diversity – particularly in light of the recruitment freeze. The MPS responded that all options are being considered including shift patterns, work-life balance, part-time working. Diversity panels within each unit are also looking at the full range of issues. With regard kit and training, they are feeding into discussions that encompass a range of business groups and those providing these elements of service.

22.4 Members asked whether a program of tenure would be considered. The MPS responded that SO18 had done so in relation to its work at airports. They have found this program challenging to implement as officers get used to and enjoy certain duties, and also become expert. They also reported that as officers often come to SO during the middle or later parts of their police careers, this tradition ‘pool’ of potential SO officers will become increasingly more diverse over the next few years (as more female and BME staff have entered the police recently).

22.5 Members asked why 2002-2003 saw such a notable reduction in female staff, to which the MPS responded that this was because SO5 – the child protection unit, composed of almost 50% female officers – was moved from SO to SCD.

22.6 Finally, the MPS confirmed that diversity forums are used for: the resolution of issues, recruitment policy, staff retention and all other areas of unit business. All units have these forums.

Resolved – That the report be noted and that an update report be received to the Sub Committee annually.

1. MPS TO INVITE MEMBERS TO A FORTHCOMING FIREARMS AWARENESS EVENT MPS

23. Exclusion of press and public

(Agenda item 5)

23.1 A resolution was put to exclude the press and public from the meeting during remaining items on the agenda as they were likely to disclose exempt information as described in Schedule 12(a) of the Local Government Act 1972, paragraph 3.

23.2 Members agreed to exclude press and public.

Summary of exempt items

24. Minutes: Counter-Terrorism and Protective Services Sub-committee – 6 September 2010 (part 2)

(Agenda item 6)

24.1 Members approved the minutes of the Counter Terrorism and Protective Service Sub Committee (Part 2) held on 6 September 2010.

Resolved - That the minutes of the Counter-Terrorism and Protective Service Sub-Committee (part 2) held on 6 September 2010 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

25. Performance Update: PREPARE

(Agenda item 7)

25.1 Members discussed a paper which provided an overview of achievements against a range of performance measures relevant to MPS Counter-Terrorism Strategy. It also provided a specific and detailed update in relation to developments/progress around the Prepare stand.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

26. SCD performance update

(Agenda item 8)

26.1 Members received a report detailing the performance of SCD against indicators agreed by the MPA in July 2009.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

27. Oral update: Covert Operations and Covert Source Management

(Agenda item 9)

27.1 Members heard an oral report on covert operations and the management of covert officers.

28. The use of Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000

(Agenda item 11)

28.1 This report provided an update of the use of Schedule 7 following a previous report presented to the MPA Communities, Equalities and People committee in September 2009.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

29. Transfer of national domestic extremism (DE) units to the MPS

(Agenda item 12)

29.1 This report sought MPA agreement for the redistribution of the three national domestic extremism (DE) units from their current position within the structures of ACPO to sit within the governance and accountability framework of the MPS.

Resolved – That the recommendation be agreed subject to Members receiving clarification regarding the terms and conditions of the transfer.

30. Specialist Operations financial management information

(Agenda item 13)

30.1 Members received this report which provided an overview of Special Operations and MPS Counter Terrorism (CT) grant budgets, spends, and forecasts.

Resolved – That the report be received.

Meeting closed – 5.30 pm

Summary of action items: status if known:

1. MPS TO INVITE MEMBERS TO A FORTHCOMING FIREARMS AWARENESS EVENT None currently planned. MPS to keep MPA updated.

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