MPA Stockwell scrutiny

Report: 6
Date: 24 July 2008
By: the Chief Executive

Summary

The report outlines the findings of the Stockwell Scrutiny carried out by a panel of Members from the MPA, following the guilty verdict in the Health and Safety at Work Trial in November 2007.

A. Recommendation

That members endorse the findings and recommendations outlined in the report.

B. Supporting information

1. At Co-ordination and Policing Committee in December 2007, Members agreed the terms of reference for a scrutiny of how the MPS have responded to the learning out of the tragic death of Mr Jean Charles de Menezes at Stockwell underground station on 22 July 2005. The decision to undertake the scrutiny followed the publication of two reports into the shooting by the Independent Complaints Commission (IPCC) and a guilty verdict as a result of the prosecution of the MPS under Health and Safety legislation.

2. The panel, consisting of Dee Doocey, Faith Boardman, Jennette Arnold and chaired by Len Duvall, took oral evidence from senior MPS and MPA officers and key partners including the IPPC and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC). They also undertook a comprehensive review of documentation provided by the MPS to evidence the changes that have been put in place since 2005.

3. The purpose of the scrutiny was to reassure the MPA and Londoners that the MPS had responded appropriately to the lessons learnt as result of the various investigations into the tragedy so that the sequence of events that led to the shooting does not reoccur. In general, the panel has concluded that progress has been good, although there is still work to be done. That said, there are gaps in the panel’s knowledge of what happened and therefore they will need to revisit the issue, with HMIC assistance, following the Coroner’s Inquest.

4. Whilst commending the progress, the panel have highlighted several areas where more work is required and these will need ongoing leadership from the MPS management board. Many of the issues faced by the MPS on 22 July 2005 in terms of command stretch, firearms mobilisation, adequacy of control rooms and the facilities required to ensure officers from different parts of the MPS can work effectively together are likely to present themselves again during the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012, if not beforehand. The improvements undertaken by the MPS will need to be tested continually in the context of scaleablity, resilience and capacity.

5. The report makes further recommendations on the basis of the conclusions reached by the panel. The Commissioner will be invited by the panel to respond to the recommendations in writing, in a report to the authority.

C. Race and equality impact

The learning from Stockwell and the work the MPS has done since, has all taken into account the need to enhance confidence of diverse communities across London.

D. Financial implications

The scrutiny was delivered within existing MPA budgets. The only extra expenditure was £5,000 for transcription services.

E. Background papers

• Terms of Reference Stockwell Scrutiny – MPA COP  Report 4, 6 December 2007
• IPPC reports Stockwell 1 and Stockwell 2
• HMIC Inspections

F. Contact details

Report author(s): Catherine Crawford (Chief Executive, MPA) and Siobhan Coldwell (Head of Oversight and Review, MPA)

For more information contact:

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

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