ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officer) ranks – Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner gifts and hospitality

Report: 4
Date: 17 June 2010
By: Chief Executive

Summary

As part of the 2006-07 audit plan, Internal Audit Directorate (now the Directorate of Audit, Risk and Assurance (DARA)) carried out a review of Gifts and Hospitality in the Metropolitan Police Service. A small number of recommendations referred to the arrangements in respect of Association of Chief Police Officer (ACPO) ranks. This report explicitly addresses the arrangements for the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner.

A. Recommendations

That Members note the report in respect of the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner.

B. Supporting information

Background

1. As part of the 2006-07 audit plan, Internal Audit Directorate carried out a review of Gifts and Hospitality in the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). The objectives of the audit were to evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of systems established by management for offers of gifts and hospitality. In particular we set out to provide assurance that controls exist and are operating effectively to ensure that:

• an approved policy and clearly defined procedures for managing the receipt of gifts and hospitality are in place;
• guidance is issued to MPS officers and staff in line with policy and clearly defines what procedures are to be followed when gifts or hospitality are offered or made;
• a system for recording the offer of gifts and hospitality is in place and operating effectively;
• a monitoring system is in place to ensure adherence to the gifts and hospitality policy

2. Although the majority of agreed recommendations were not relevant to this Committee there were a small number that were, namely:

• Quarterly reports of gifts and hospitality are sent to the relevant Deputy Assistant Commissioner and Directors for review and a record is maintained of the review;
• The following half yearly reviews of senior officer’s gifts and hospitality registers are introduced and recorded:
• The Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner’s register is reviewed by the Chief Executive to the MPA;
• The Deputy Commissioner reviews other Management Board members’ registers;
• The appropriate Management Board member reviews the Deputy Assistant Commissioners ‘and Directors’ registers.
• The results of the quarterly review of Management Board members’ gifts and hospitality registers are reported to the Metropolitan Police Authority’s (MPA’s) Remuneration Sub Committee.

3. I am able to report that, having reviewed the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner’s gifts and hospitality register for the period from 31 October 2009 to the end of May 2010, the systems in place for recording gifts and hospitality are operating effectively and, for the most part, adhere with the gifts and hospitality policy. A letter has been written to the Commissioner in respect of two entries.

C. Legal implications

There are no direct legal implications arising from this monitoring report. The approach to gifts and hospitality is compliant with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) policy which was endorsed by the Authority’s Corporate Governance Committee.

D. Race and equality impact

There are no direct race or equality implications arising from this report.

E. Financial implications

There are no financial implications arising directly from this report.

F. Background papers

Internal Audit Directorate report on gifts and hospitality 2006-07.

G. Contact details

Report author: Alan Johnson, Engagement and Equalities, Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA)

For more information contact:

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

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