Minutes

Notes of the inquorate meeting of the Equalities & Diversity Sub-committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 22 October 2009 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Kirsten Hearn (Chair)
• Clive Lawton

MPA officers

• Martin Davis
• Catherine Crawford
• Siobhan Coldwell
• George Fry
• Michael Wadham
• Doug Lewins
• James Bennett
• Chris Benson (Committee Services)

MPS Officers

• Andrew Cameron
• Tony Aubrey
• Steve Bloomfield
• Michael Partridge
• David Maguire
• John Wilson
• Denise Milani
• Vicky Kielinger
• Susan Paterson
• Vasanthi Gnanadoss

Others in attendance

• Mathew Shaer
• Andy Garrott
• Helen Williams
• Anne Novis
• M.Ringelyte
• Millicent Grant

1. Introductions

Kirsten Hearn, Chair of the sub-committee introduced herself and invited all those present to introduce themselves.

2. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies for absence were received from Cindy Butts. The Chair advised that as the meeting was inquorate any decisions it may make would require the endorsement of the Communities, Equalities and Peoples Committee.

3. Declarations of interests

(Agenda item 2)

No declarations of interest were made.

4. Notes of the meeting held on 31 July 2009

(Agenda item 3)

Resolved to approve the notes of the meeting held on 31 July as a correct record.

5. Policing and Mental Health

(Agenda item 4)

5.1 Steve Bloomfield introduced the report that provided an outline of the MPS response to individuals with mental health needs in London. It addressed 18 specific questions raised within the commissioning brief and summarised a number of key changes and developments since performance was last reported 18 months ago.

5.2 The Chair thanked Steve Bloomfield for his introduction and invited questions and comments from the meeting.

5.3 It was noted that the report did not provide details of the user groups consulted. Its overall emphasis was on the professional service providers rather than engagement with the service users. This conflicted with the principle of “nothing about us without us”.

5.4 The meeting was advised that the consultation had stalled/slowed on the new standard operating procedures. Steve Bloomfield agreed to look into the situation and address any issues found and restart the consultation.

5.5 It was noted that the MPS DIAG was expected to make a significant contribution to providing advice in addition to responding to the consultation.

5.6 With regard to the larger issue of engagement, a view was expressed that consultation could not be substituted for engagement. Service users were different from user groups; they provided a different insight on day to day issues and cannot be substituted for each other.

5.7 Concerns were raised at the number of times TASERs were used against people with mental health issues. The meeting was reassured that TASERs were used only as a last resort. Officers are trained to identify symptoms of mental illness and depending on the situation will decide whether to use the TASER or get professional medical or mental health support.

5.8 The meeting noted that the MPS had signed up to the Mental Health Act 2007 which advocated the use of the least possible force. The Act was primarily designed for adoption by the National Health Service (NHS) and Social Service Departments.

5.9 It was noted that despite the stated reassurances the community still had concerns regarding the use of TASERs in a mental health setting, suggesting that a better communication plan should be developed.

5.10 The meeting was advised that all use of TASERs was monitored by Central Operations. TASERs had been used against people with mental illness during section 135 assessments. TASERs had also been used in a hospital setting. It was suggested that the MPS addressed this issue before it became an entrenched urban myth.

5.11 Steve Bloomfield agreed to advise the meeting of the number of times TASERs had been used against people with mental health issues.

5.12 The meeting noted that the use of TASERs by police services outside of London will also have an effect on the public’s perceptions. The meeting was advised that unlike the other police services, the MPS had not taken the opportunity to increase the number of TASERs it held.

5.13 Given the number of individuals with mental health issues within the prison system, had any research been undertaken as to the percentage of crime committed by individuals due to their mental health and the percentage of crime where mental health was thought not to be a factor?

5.14 The MPA 2005 scrutiny identified that police stations were not necessarily a 'place of safety'. How many individuals with mental health issues had been removed from police stations to a place of safety and what constituted a place of safety? It was noted that a busy Accident and Emergency (A&E) department was not necessarily a place of safety.

5.15 It was noted police officers are trained to be aware of and indentify mental health issues. A new MPS training programme is being rolled out and a national programme is in place.

5.16 Places of safety had a legal definition; they are identified on a borough by borough basis in conjunction with partners such as the Primary Care and Mental Health Trusts. A number of practical considerations had to be taken into account to agree the most appropriate placement including, availability and length of travelling time.

5.17 It was recognised that obtaining an accurate first diagnosis was difficult, mental health illness might be mistakenly diagnosed. Physical injury and or substance misuse might be wrongly diagnosed as a mental health issue. The unit in Chase Farm hospital in Enfield had access to both, mental health and general practitioners. It was very expensive to maintain and it was noted that it was unlikely that any agencies would attract any significant extra resource to address this issue or to deliver the recommendations of the Bradley review.

5.18 It was noted that Community Treatment Orders under the Mental Health Act had increased by 71% last year. Individuals with mental health issues had to have access to professional support rather than being punished by the criminal justice system.

5.19 It was noted that individuals with mental health issues continued to be the subject of hate crime. MIND had carried out some research into this issue. Steve Bloomfield agreed to accept the challenge and report back.

5.20 There was a perception that a disproportionate number of young African Caribbean males are detained under the mental health act, the community felt especially stigmatised.

5.21 It was accepted that one size does not fit all. It was noted that each borough had a mental health liaison officer. Three meetings were held each year within the boroughs to discuss mental health issues and to share good practice. The mental health trust outreach worker was in attendance at the meeting. Noted that the NHS was fully engaged in the process, attending each of the meetings.

5.22 It was noted that a central team had been monitoring mental health issues, including complaints for two years. Firearm and TASER incidents are raised with the Directorate of Professional Standards.

5.23 Noted that within the Borough of Lewisham a group had been established to improve and enhance partnership working. The group also discussed cross borough links with Lambeth. Other issues discussed by the group included.

• Training
• Shared information
• Place of safety
• Communication and enquires with users

6. MPS Equalities Scheme

(Agenda item 5)

6.1 John Wilson introduced the report that provided an overview of the ongoing development of the MPS Equalities Scheme, including annual reporting, governance, engagement and inclusion within the broader MPS equalities agenda.

6.2 The sub-committee was advised that the equalities scheme did not stand alone and was tied to the equality standard for the police service. It was noted that that the governance and scrutiny of the equalities scheme had been enhanced by the Deputy Commissioner chairing the Diversity Board.

6.3 It was noted that a tool kit had been developed to identify gaps within the business groups. The meeting was of the view that any toolkit should be able to measure success. There was a need to shift focus to measuring outcomes and results, and to identify success. Benchmarks had to be established and good practice shared.

6.4 The Meeting was advised that despite a lot of activity in the past the impact had been difficult to assess.

6.5 The support of all managers, including middle managers, is essential for the scheme to succeed. With previous schemes the intentions were good but the process had broken down, there had been large gaps as to what happened on the ground.

6.6 To be successful the scheme had to be supported by top management and promoted through the management board. The MPS was confident the leadership of the Deputy Commission and the 4 ACPO lead officers will get some movement.

6.7 The meeting noted that at a strategic level the MPS was confident that the best policy, scheme and action plans are in place. The process would concentrate on the middle to junior ranks over the next 18 months to give them the confidence to embrace the strategy and to see it as joined up piece across the MPS.

6.8 It was noted that the original plan was that the MPS would need 32 Diversity and Citizen Focus Advisors and currently had 6. Current resources would have to be deployed differently as the MPS had to work within available resources.

6.9 It was considered that a piece of work should be undertaken to demonstrate the value for money that good equality advice can provide. To achieve greater value for money it was suggested that the staff associations and groups are used as “critical friends” and that the staff associations operate in the same space as advisors.

6.10 It was noted that expertise across the strands would remain and support of staff associations and groups actively sought.

7. MPA Generic Equality Scheme 2008-2011

(Agenda item 6)

7.1 George Fry introduced the report the meeting was advised that in the autumn of 2008 the MPA completed its first Generic Equality Scheme (GNES). The GNES combined the MPAs existing single equality schemes on disability, gender and race with action plans for the additional diversity strands of age, religion/ belief and sexual orientation.

7.2 In producing a generic scheme the MPA had incorporated diversity strands that it did not, as yet, have a legislative duty to include. In doing so the MPA placed equal emphasis on establishing parity in terms of age, religion/ belief and sexual orientation, creating a more holistic approach to equality and diversity.

7.3 This report provided a brief update on how the MPA had progressed against the actions identified in the scheme and how the GNES will be revised to reflect the changing nature of the MPA as determined by Met Forward.

7.4 The Chair advised that she was struggling to understand how the scheme would be progressed within the new MPA structure and how the MPA would engage with the community. She considered that there seemed to have been more of an opportunity to do this when the MPA had a dedicated team.

7.5 The meeting was advised that under the restructure a new unit had been created and the post head of equality and engagement had been enhanced. The engagement strategy would go to committee in the New Year.

7.6 A view was expressed that MPA could have highlighted the scheme and raised its own profile at the Liberty event but was not represented.

8. Farewell to Doug Lewins

8.1 The Chair on behalf of the meeting thanked Doug Lewins for his support over those past years.

8.2 Doug in turn thanked the Chair and MPA /MPS colleagues for their support especially over the last few months.

End of meeting 11:55am

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