Minutes

Minutes of the Human Resources and Remuneration Sub-committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 30 June 2009 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Faith Boardman (Chair)
• Reshard Auladin
• Jenny Jones

MPA officers

• Catherine Crawford (Chief Executive)
• Alan Johnson (Policy Officer)
• Chris Benson (Committee Services)

MPS officers

• Martin Tiplady (Director, Human Resources)
• Esme Crowther Head of Human Resources Employment Tribunal Unit
• Darren Bird Assistant Director HR Services

1. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

1.1 Apologies for absence were received from Cindy Butts

2. Declarations of interest

(Agenda item 2)

2.1 No declarations of interest were received.

3. Minutes of the meeting held on 30 April 2009

(Agenda item 3)

Resolved that the minutes of the meetings held on 30 April were approved as a correct record.

4. Recruitment targets

(Agenda item 4)

4.1 Martin Tiplady, Director Human Resources introduced the report.

4.2 The Sub Committee was asked to note the report that highlighted the increase in the diversity of the MPS workforce achieved in 2008/09. The report provided members with information relating to graduate recruitment schemes, prior learning and the ‘Surrey model’. The report also provided members with details of the many community engagement activities involving communities within London.

4.3 To further promote recruitment and to demonstrate the increasing numbers of police officers recruited from the BME community, a bi annual parade of cadets was being planned. Whilst still in the initial planning stages it was envisaged that the parades would be in addition to the Hendon graduation event which is primarily aimed for the friends and family of the cadets. Further details would be made available to the Sub Committee as the planning developed.

4.4 It was agreed that the model used to predict recruitment needs and inform recruitment targets would be circulated to members outside of the meeting.

4.5 The Sub Committee considered that the MPS achievements in increasing the diversity of its work force should be given greater publicity.

4.6 The Sub Committee noted that no benchmarks existed for induction training given to rejoiners and officers transferring into the MPS from other forces. It was agreed that a benchmarking exercise would be undertaken.

4.7 The Sub Committee also agreed that a further benchmarking exercise would be conducted with regard to the cost and value for money of the recruitment process in general.

4.8 The Sub Committee was advised that the MPS recognised that savings were to be obtained by adopting a model of training based on the principles of accredited prior learning, whereby an academic policing qualification was achieved prior to commencing an employment contract, (the Surrey model).It was noted that the MPS would wait for the first 100 recruits to complete the process before considering its adoption.

Resolved to note the report

5. Employment Tribunals

(Agenda item 5)

5.1 Martin Tiplady, Director Human Resources and Esme Crowther Head of Human Resources Employment Tribunal Unit introduced the report. (Appendix 2 of this report was considered as an exempt item)

5.2 The Sub Committee received a report that set out management information and performance analysis on employment tribunal (ET) claims brought against the Commissioner in the period from 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009. The data and trends were compared to the period 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008.

5.3 The Sub Committee noted that given the size of the MPS workforce the number of ET claims was small. The Sub Committee was however concerned that women were disproportionally represented in ET claims submitted.

5.4 It was noted that the Race and Faith enquiry may identify areas of concern, however it was agreed not to wait for the conclusions of the enquiry to be published and agreed that the MPS would try to identify any underlying factors that may explain the disproportionate numbers of women submitting ET claims.

Resolved

1. to note the report
2. that the report be submitted the next meeting of the Sub Committee indentifying the underlying factors behind the disproportionate numbers of women submitting ET claims.

6. ACPO ranks overseas travel

(Agenda item 6)

6.1 Martin Tiplady, Director Human Resources introduced the report (Appendix 1 of this report was considered as an exempt item).

6.2 The Sub Committee was asked to note that the business groups had the necessary administrative arrangements in place to record data on ACPO overseas travel arrangement and costs.

6.3 The Sub Committee asked the MPS to take account of the Mayor’s guidelines when deciding between travelling by train or airplane.

Resolved to note the report.

7. Temporary promotion arrangements for ACPO ranks

(Agenda item 7)

7.1 Alan Johnson, Policy Officer introduced the report. The Sub Committee was asked to formalise the temporary promotion arrangements for ACPO ranks.

Resolved to approve the process for temporary promotion arrangements for ACPO ranks as set out in the report.

8. Disciplinary cases involving police staff

(Agenda item 8)

8.1 Darren Bird Assistant Director HR Services introduced the report. The report provided information and statistical data in relation to police staff who are subject to gross misconduct disciplinary proceedings police staff who are subject to disciplinary proceedings.

8.2 The Sub Committee was concerned that PCSO’s continue to be over represented in the disciplinary process. It was noted that a number of procedural changes had been made that will take at least 6 months to be embedded, after which time it was expected that the numbers of PCSO within the disciplinary process would be reduced.

8.3 It was noted that the Race and Faith enquiry may identify areas of concern relating to PCSO’s.

8.4 The Sub Committee asked if the PCSO selection and recruitment process was a contributory factor. The Sub Committee was advised that whilst some aspects of the recruit process could be improved the levels of supervision of PCSO’s and the standard of their behavoiur was of more concern.

8.5 It was noted that a focus group would be used to look at the behaviour and supervision of CPSO’s and related issues within the central security zone

Resolved to note the report.

8. Exclusion of press and public

(Agenda item 10)

8.1 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 (as amended).

Resolved - That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the remaining items on the agenda.

9. Items considered on Part 2 of the agenda

(a) Minutes of the meetings held on 30 April 2009

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 April 2009 were approved as a correct record.

(b) Appendix 2. to agenda item 2

Resolved to note the appendix.

(c) Appendix 1. to agenda item 6.

Resolved to note the appendix.

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