Civil Liberties Panel - terms of reference

Report: 5
Date: 23 July 2009
By: Chief Executive

Summary

The MPA Civil Liberties Panel met on 9 July 2009 and drafted a revised terms of reference. This paper sets out the revised terms of reference and seeks agreement from the Full Authority.

A. Recommendation

That the revised terms of reference for the MPA Civil Liberties Panel be endorsed.

B. Supporting information

Purpose

1. The MPA Civil Liberties Panel held its first meeting on 9 July 2009. At that meeting the Panel elected Victoria Borwick as Chair. The panel discussed the draft terms of reference (put forward to the full authority in May 2009) and have proposed and amended terms of reference, as outlined below.

2. It is proposed that the Panel would convene to consider issues on a priority basis as agreed by the MPA. It will be a standing panel, and will meet as the need arises. Due to the public concern over events surrounding the policing of G20, it is proposed in the first instance to consider public order policing. This will reflect the issues raised by Members at the full authority meeting on 30 April 2009. As other priorities emerge, additional terms of reference would be agreed.

The following terms of reference for the Civil Liberties Panel are proposed:

1. Develop an ongoing understanding of civil liberties and human rights and the consequences this has for policing in relation to all the areas considered by this panel.
2. The Panel may investigate any topics which in their view are relevant to Civil Liberties
3. Within each area of review, develop a clear understanding of the full range of policies and tactics, including training, supervision and communication; the situations within which various tactics are deployed and how decisions about proportionality are made. The Panel will consider the wider impact of these on civil liberties and human rights.
4. Scrutinise the MPS’s work to retain public trust and confidence in balancing civil liberties with the need to maintain public safety and public order through proportionate policing. This should include scrutinising how the MPS communicates with the public, key stakeholders and the MPA.
5. The Panel will consider how lessons learned from previous investigations impact on current MPS practice, training regimes and organisational culture.
6. Understand the potential equalities and diversity issues arising out of all areas of service delivery being addressed by this panel.
7. Engage with the MPS, the public, relevant groups and civil liberty and human rights organisations to ensure that Members gain a comprehensive understanding of the issues involved.
8. The monitoring of the implementation of any recommendations by this Panel and any other relevant reviews (e.g. the HMIC review of G20 and public order) on behalf of the Authority may be undertaken by the Panel or another MPA committee as appropriate.
9. Provide regular reports to Full Authority and other committees where relevant, updating them on the progress being made against the panel’s work programme and make recommendations to the Authority and the MPS.

C. Race and equality impact

There are potentially significant equality and diversity issues arising out of any scrutiny in this area. The equality objectives outlined above aim to ensure that they are addressed as the work of the Panel develops.

E. Financial implications

The Panel will be supported within existing MPA officer resources.

F. Background papers

• MetForward
• MPA Full Authority minutes 30 April and 28 May 2009

G. Contact details

Report author(s): 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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