Report from Sub-committees of the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee

Report: 5
Date: 13 January 2011
By: Chief Executive

Summary

This report contains a summary of reports received by the Sub-committees of the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee.

A. Recommendation

That

1. Members receive this report.

B. Supporting information

1. At each meeting of the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee Members will receive a report on its Sub-committees instead of the minutes. Part 1 minutes will be available on the website, and exempt part 2 minutes are available to Members only, upon request.

2. This report covers the following meetings:

•  Professional Standards Cases Sub-committee on 18 October 2010 (paragraph 3).
•  Professional Standards Cases Sub-committee on 15 November 2010 (paragraph 4).
•  Counter-terrorism and Protective Services on 25 November 2010 (paragraph 5).
•  Olympic and Paralympic Sub-committee on 9 December 2010 (paragraph 6).

3. Professional Standards Cases Sub-committee on 18 October 2010

Members present: Tony Arbour, Reshard Auladin, James Cleverly, Chris Boothman, Valerie Brasse and Joanne McCartney.

Directorate of the Professional Standards dip sampling procedures

Commander Mark Simmons (Department of Professional Standards) introduced the report that provided an outline of Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) quality assurance processes, policies and protocols in relation to dealing with complaints and conduct matters against police; how any lessons learned are disseminated throughout the MPS; how any specifics of any training that MPS staff have received on these processes, policies and protocols and an update on the progress of professional development training of Professional Standards Champions.

The Sub-committee was concerned to note that the MPS did not carry out retrospective dip sampling of closed complaints. It was noted that the current process provided quality assurance throughout all stages of the complaints process with robust supervision at all stages of intervention. Cmdr Simmons advised that the DPS was changing its emphasis from the management of outputs to the management of outcomes.

It was noted that in the past members had reviewed completed case files, this was found to be time consuming and members had little concept of what they were looking for or what to do it they found something of concern. As a result little value was added. This process had gradually stopped due to the pressure on resources, including demands on the member’s time.

It was noted that the MPA had a statutory duty to carry out this function. It was recognised that the numbers of complaints received by the MPA was far greater than any other police authority, and it was impractical to adopt the procedures used by other Police Authorities.

The Sub-committee agreed to approve the dip sampling protocol.

Case summaries

Kalyanee Mendelsohn (Professional Standards Officer) introduced a report that summarised the findings of two recent cases which were considered by the courts. These were:

The case of Jordan which concerned an application by the North Yorkshire Police Authority (“the NYPA”) for judicial review of the decision of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (“the IPCC”) that the NYPA was required to record a complaint made against its Chief Constable.

The case of Jones which concerns an appeal against the decision of the Professional Standards Cases Sub-committee to forfeit 50% of his pension permanently and 15% temporarily, for a period of five years.

Members commented that in light of the Judicial Review for officers, more complaints would be recorded, whereas previously they may not have been. Members considered that further to this, it may be more appropriate for many allegations to be considered under delegated authority rather than being presented to the Sub-committee for decision.

4. Professional Standards Cases Sub-committee on 15 November 2010

Members present: Reshard Auladin, James Cleverly, Chris Boothman, Valerie Brasse and Joanne McCartney.

Update on Dip sampling of closed complaints and conduct matters

Jane Harwood reminded Members that the chosen files would be available for Members to scrutinize until 30 November 2010. She noted that this was a report on progress and that MPA officers are continuing to look at how best to take forward the dip sampling process.

Members asked whether there had been any issues with getting the files that were requested. Jane Harwood confirmed that there had been no issues. Members also suggested that the checklist contained at appendix 1 be revisited as some questions were not found to be useful.

5. Counter-terrorism and Protective Services on 25 November 2010

Members present: Toby Harris (Chair), Reshard Auladin (Vice Chair), Neil Johnson and James Cleverly.

Diversity in SO

Members received a report that outlined diversity data and issues within SO. The MPS summarized that although an upward trend in diversity levels has been recorded, progress has been slow. Activity to increase numbers of BME and female staff is on-going and the SO Career Management Unit has been formed as a dedicated unit to encourage recruitment into SO. Despite the recruitment freeze announced, the command remains committed to furthering diversity.

Members noted that many women had previously been unwilling to participate in firearms training and that there had been some suggestion that this was due to the physically imposing nature of the kit used. The MPS acknowledged these concerns and reaffirmed that work was on-going. They also suggested that techniques such as staff rotation should be considered to encourage diversity – particularly in light of the recruitment freeze. The MPS responded that all options are being considered including shift patterns, work-life balance, part-time working. Diversity panels within each unit are also looking at the full range of issues. With regard kit and training, they are feeding into discussions that encompass a range of business groups and those providing these elements of service.

Members asked whether a program of tenure would be considered. The MPS responded that SO18 had done so in relation to its work at airports. They have found this program challenging to implement as officers get used to and enjoy certain duties, and also become expert. They also reported that as officers often come to SO during the middle or later parts of their police careers, this tradition ‘pool’ of potential SO officers will become increasingly more diverse over the next few years (as more female and BME staff have entered the police recently).

Exempt part 2:

Oral update: Covert operations and covert source management

Members heard an oral report on covert operations and the management of covert officers.

The use of Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000

This report provided an update of the use of Schedule 7 following a previous report presented to the MPA Communities, Equalities and People committee in September 2009.

Transfer of National Domestic Extremism (DE) Units to the MPS

This report sought MPA agreement for the redistribution of the three national domestic extremism (DE) units from their current position within the structures of ACPO to sit within the governance and accountability framework of the MPS.

6. Olympic and Paralympic Sub-committee on 9 December 2010

Members present: Dee Doocey, Jennette Arnold, Chris Boothman, Kirsten Hearn, Toby Harris and Victoria Borwick.

Exempt part 2:

Business case: Identify and disrupt (Automatic Number Plate Recognition)

Members approved a business case regarding Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), an established technology that allows vehicle registration marks to be read by cameras using pattern recognition software. Olympic ANPR will build on ‘business as usual’ capabilities to contribute to the mitigation of the threats to the Olympic Games from terrorism, serious and organised crime and public disorder.

Minutes

7. Copies of non-exempt reports and minutes from the Authority and its committees can be viewed on the MPA website, or obtained from MPA committee staff.

C. Other organisational and community implications

Equalities Impact

1. There are no race and diversity impact issues directly arising from this report. Race and diversity impact is a standing item on reports submitted to committees and Sub-committees.

Met Forward Implications

2. There are no implications directly arising from this report.

Financial Implications

3. There are no implications directly arising from this report.

Legal Implications

4. There are no implications directly arising from this report.

Environmental Implications

5. There are no implications directly arising from this report.

Risk Implications

6. There are no implications directly arising from this report.

D. Background papers

None

D. Contact details

Report author: Thomas Foot, MPA

For information contact:

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

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