Minutes - draft

These minutes are agreed.

Minutes of the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 7 April 2011.

Present

Members

• Reshard Auladin (as Chairman)
• Tony Arbour
• Chris Boothman
• Jennette Arnold
• Toby Harris
• Jenny Jones
• Joanne McCartney
• Caroline Pidgeon
• Valerie Brasse
• Graham Speed

MPA officers

• Catherine Crawford (Chief Executive)
• Jane Harwood (Deputy Chief Executive)
• Annabel Adams (Deputy Treasurer)
• Siobhan Coldwell (Head of Policing Policy Scrutiny and Oversight)
• Melissa Pepper (Research analyst, PPPI)
• Lynne Abrams (Policy officer, PPSO)

MPS officers

• Mark Simmons (DAC, Human Resources)
• Anne McMeel (Director of Resources)
• Steve Rodhouse (Commander, Territorial Policing)
• Phil Woolf (Director of Business Performance)
• Acting Commander Carl Bussey (Director of Professional Standards)
• Rose Fitzpatrick (DAC, Central Operations)
• Elaine Van-Orden (Superintendent, Territorial Support Group (CO20))

105. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

105.1 Apologies were received for Cindy Butts.

106. Declarations of interests

(Agenda item 2)

106.1 No declarations were received.

107. Minutes of the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee 17 March 2011

(Agenda item 3)

107.1 Members agreed the minutes for the above meeting.

Resolved - That the minutes of the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee held on 17 March 2011 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

108. Urgent actions and operational issues

(Agenda item 4)

108.1 None discussed.

109. Territorial Support Group (TSG) review

(Agenda item 5)

109.1 The MPS informed Members that the TSG consisted of 777 officers, operating from five bases, and that although they are responsible for responding to critical incidents and public disorder they only use 15% of their time fulfilling this specialist role, and the other 85% in supporting crime reduction on boroughs, and in SO or SCD.

109.2 They noted that the TSG senior management team initiated a review in 2009, which has resulted in ten recommendations. Highlights include: that the unit structure should be modified to reflect MPS priorities and value for money – this has encompassed new shift patterns that enable 24/7 coverage and prioritising work on detailed demand analysis; secondly, a review of TSG skills – including the redeveloping the TSG surveillance capacity to assist further in reducing volume crime, and increasing the unit’s firearms capacity into a strategic reserve (an extra 150 officers will be firearms trained); thirdly, a number of recommendations regarding engagement and communication – all officers have a PDR relating to neighbourhood policing and spend three days in support of Safer Neighbourhoods teams in every five week cycle, the ‘situation has changed’ presentation – which casts the audience in the role of officers policing a public order event - has been delivered across London, and a community reference group is being developed.

109.3 Summing up, the MPS informed Members that this work was geared toward increasing the professionalism and leadership skills of all officers within the unit. They noted that this is reflected in the toughness of their recruitment process, within which potential supervisors are assessed on their capacity to challenge poor performance and behaviour, and the rigor of pre-appointment vetting. The DPS are engaged closely and the complaints intervention scheme is operational within the unit - a year ago 55 officers were on this, and now only 26 are. Complaints have reduced by a third over the past year, and the reductions in incivility are the highest across the MPS.

109.4 A Member raised concerns that a ‘macho’ culture continued to pervade the TSG, and suggested that lower rates of complaints may be due to people ‘giving up’ on the process or due to lower levels of deployment this year. She suggested that the training of TSG officers encouraged this culture. The MPS responded that deployment levels have not varied significantly and that these figures reflect a focus on individuals attracting complaints as opposed to each complaint only. There is no evidence of any trend of reduced complaints across the MPS. They also noted that training programmes had been amended to take in interaction with the public, scenarios include: public order, disorder, house entry, and prison intervention. All managers buy-in to and attend these training sessions.

109.5 A Member welcomed the report and expressed support for the progress of the TSG, which provides an essential part of the MPS service. He commented that the presentation has been very well-received and reflects the excellent external work of the unit. With regard to the TSG estates, he stated that whilst two of the premises are very good, one is cramped and one is poor. He informed Members that these sites were being considered as part of a review of CO deployment bases. Finally, he noted that TSG seem to be working very hard to increase their diversity profile and was encouraged to note that the unit was now composed of 12% female officers, but that this remained a challenge.

109.6 A Member asked what the title ‘situation has changed’ meant, and expressed surprise that checks on dishonesty were not used across the MPS. The MPS replied that the title of the presentation referred to the sequence of events during the presentation, and not to increasing levels of public order protest or the internal changes within TSG.

109.7 Members were informed that the community reference group was being formed to ensure that TSG do not complete operations and then just leave a community with the aftermath. Rather they hope to get a view on tactics being used and how police could do better. With regard the community reference groups Members were informed that this would be used to tap into different communities and those with specialist insight – e.g. protest groups and journalists. Whilst this would be a formal forum it will not be subject to the same restrictions as an IAG.

109.8 Members requested a briefing outlining which recommendations had not been fully implemented and why.

109.9 A Member noted the inability of the TSG to increase the diversity of its officer profile was in part due to the hurdles to becoming a TSG officer – the requisite experience and public order training, for instance. The MPS noted this point, stating that all officers also complete their two-year probationary period before being eligible to apply to the TSG and that shift patterns can be very challenging (with officers’ shifts being changed without notice in many instances). They informed Members that these arrangements were under constant review to ensure that operational needs are met whilst extending the diversity of the unit.

109.10Members requested a breakdown of where and when TSG officers had been deployed over the past year. The MPS responded that there is a set tasking process to ensure that their resource is not wasted and that this is not solely the decision of TSG management. They predominantly support volume crime, with a focus on burglary and most serious violence. The MPS agreed to supply more detailed information on these deployments.

110.11In relation to increased firearms capacity, they noted that the TSG would offer a central capacity to enable swift mobilization if necessary. They assured Members that a reserve will still be available to support and respond to incidents across London during the Olympics. They noted that increasing the firearms capacity of the unit does present issues regarding gender, as female officers are under-represented in firearms roles.

110.12Another Member questioned whether the performance and backgrounds of officers were reviewed after selection (i.e. for existing officers). The MPS replied that the complaints intervention scheme assists in highlighting weak officers and have often brought to light previous issues surrounding officers’ conduct. However, each officer will not be investigated on a proactive basis.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

1. Members requested more information on the recommendations that have not been implemented, and why they hadn’t been. [MPS]

2. Members requested more information on where and when the TSG had been deployed. [MPS]

3. The report reads that ‘the non-emergency number...has offered’. What has it offered? [MPS]

110. Have Your Say on Policing in London

(Agenda item 6)

110.1 The MPA introduced this report, noting that this work would underpin the future Policing London Business Plan and broader work within the MPA. These interactions with the public have also afforded an opportunity for MPA officers to increase the profile of Met Forward and the MPA and develop the organisation list of useful external contacts.

110.2 Data was collected through four different sources, including a question which was included in the MPS Public Attitude Survey (PAS) which was extended to 20000 people. This project was cost effective as the work and analysis was all done in-house. Members were informed that a full report is available on the MPA website.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

111. Headline Performance Report

(Agenda item 7)

111.1 The MPS reported that violence with injury (VWI) had reduced by 17% over the previous four years, and that gun and knife crime has also reduced year-on-year. Acquisitive crime was also reducing, whilst robbery was increasing – driven in part by the desirability of new generation mobiles. Overall levels of sanction-detection are up.

111.2 A Member asked why Waltham Forest continued to have low sanction-detection rates, noting that he had previously been informed that this was: a statistical quark, due to changes in the management team, or due to reduced input from partners. Whilst these explanations may have some plausibility, this trend seems somewhat stubborn.

111.3 The MPS responded that they had heard the Member’s concerns and that the Area Commander is fully engaged. They recognised that there is a case for reprioritizing resource to that borough, and noted that the current staff do work very hard and are stretched.

111.4 A Member commended good levels of sanction-detection in relation to hate crime and domestic violence and asked whether those for rape had improved. The MPS replied that victim satisfaction rates had risen but that sanction-detection may have lagged due to a rise in overall rape offences.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

112. Thematic Performance Report

(Agenda item 8)

112.1 This report detailed the progress of the MPS in increasing the standard of customer service provided. The MPS reported that they remain committed to improving public perceptions of the police, and that this has been enshrined in the recently agreed KPIs. The MPS have consistently performed highest in the ‘good job’ category over the previous few years and satisfaction in the police has risen across the country.

112.2 Members noted that paragraph 63 reads that ‘the non-emergency number...has offered’ but does not go on to state what had been offered. They asked that this information be supplied.

112.3 Members were assured that the term ‘natural neighbourhoods’ was used to aid the service in engaging with people, identifying a series of communities within each ward – often based on geographic features. These distinctions enabled the service to map each community in detail, and were not being devised to inform any further development of Safer Neighbourhoods policing.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

113. Overview of MPA oversight of public protection

(Agenda item 9)

113.1 The MPA introduced this report which summarized Authority oversight of public protection in light of Met Forward. The report highlighted potential future risk areas and high impact areas, to be borne in mind as the MPA transitions to become the MOPC.

113.2 Members agreed that the report highlighted some important legacy issues.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

114. The policing of stalking and harassment

(Agenda item 10)

114.1 This report was produced following the MPA/MPS annual report into violence against women, from which it emerged that whilst stalking and harassment are significant crime types, there has been limited MPA oversight in these areas.

114.2 The Chair noted that some of the figures within the report were very disturbing and suggested that the MPS provide responses to issues raised. Members asked that the effectiveness of harassment orders also be addressed in any further report.

114.3 Members expressed concern that a series of incidents of harassment may, according to the report, be recorded as only one crime, and may not therefore constitute a pattern of behaviour – as required by the Protection from Harassment Act. The MPA noted that evidence underpinning that assertion was broadly anecdotal and suggested that MPS provide a response to that in a future report.

114.4 There was debate as to whether the BCS highlighted underreporting in VAW or if the variance in results were likely due to differing definitions used – that stating ‘harassed’ for the purposes of the BCS may not be a ‘course of conduct’ as criminal investigation would require, for instance.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

4. MPS asked to respond to report stating that a series of events of harassment may be recorded at one crime, and to produce a briefing on the use of harassment orders. [MPS]

5. Members asked for further analysis of the relationship between the BCS and police figures. [MPA (Lynne Abrams)]

115. Update on restorative justice within the MPS

(Agenda item 11)

115.1 The MPS noted that they have been working toward developing sanction-detection measures for restorative justice, but have been unable to do so as yet due to problems with accreditation. The report details lessons learnt during the Greenwich pilot, and that it is soon to be rolled out in Bromley.

115.2 A Member raised concerns that the public may think a ‘chat’ with a victim would be insufficient recompense for such crimes. He suggested that the public may not see these interventions as sanction and that this scheme may encourage the resolving of investigations prior to giving thought to the adequacy of the punishment.

115.3 The MPS replied that restorative justice provides reparation for victims and enables local problem solving. They noted that a public steering group has been used to evaluate the Greenwich pilot. The Chair added that the victim would have to consent to restorative justice being used.

115.4 A Member asked whether reparation had been used during the pilot, to which the MPS responded in the negative, noting that any agreement as to reparation will not be enforceable outside of a civil court.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

116. Update on the police reform and social responsibility bill

(Agenda item 12)

116.1 Catherine Crawford informed Members that the Bill would soon reach the Lords, where 35 peers have expressed a wish to speak to it to date. An MPA Members workshop will take place on May 12.

117. Exclusion of press and public

(Agenda item 13)

Resolved – That members of the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting.

Part 2

118. Minutes of the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee 17 March 2011 (PART 2)

(Agenda item 14)

118.1 Members agreed the minutes for the above meeting.

Resolved - That the minutes of the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee held on 17 March 2011 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

119. Request for funding to settle a civil claim

(Agenda item 15)

119.1 Members were asked to agree a sum of money.

120. Request for funding of legal costs

(Agenda item 16)

120.1 Members were asked to agree a sum of money.

121. Request for funding of legal costs

(Agenda item 17)

121.1 This item was removed from the agenda by the Chair.

122. Request for funding to settle a civil claim

(Agenda item 18)

122.1 Members were asked to agree a sum of money.

Meeting closed – 4.10 pm

Summary of action items

1. Members requested more information on the recommendations that have not been implemented, and why they hadn’t been.

2. Members requested more information on where and when the TSG had been deployed.

3. The report reads that ‘the non-emergency number...has offered’. What has it offered?

4. MPS asked to respond to report stating that a series of events of harassment may be recorded at one crime, and to produce a briefing on the use of harassment orders.

5. Members asked for further analysis of the relationship between the BCS and police figures.

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback