MPA independent evaluation of MPS diversity training

Report: 09
Date: 15 January 2002
By: Clerk

Summary

The CDO Performance Sub Group has proposed that urgent action should be taken to pursue the independent evaluation of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) diversity training. A sub committee, chaired by Cindy Butts, has considered the first draft proposed for the review. The report is presented to inform the CDO Committee of the work in progress.

A. Recommendation

1. Members note the work to progress of the independent evaluation of the MPS diversity training programme; and
2. Members note the budget implications of the review and proposal for securing the staffing and budget to undertake the evaluation.

B. Supporting information

1. In January 2001, the committee proposed that a review of the MPS community and race relations (CRR) training should be carried out. Members and MPA officers held several meetings with MPS staff in order to agree the possible scope for such a review. Budget and staffing issues were also considered. The MPA does not have the budgetary resources to carry out this work and it was therefore agreed between MPA and MPS staff from the Diversity Training Directorate that funding would be sought in the new financial year 2002/03.

2. This has now been done and is the subject of a report to be discussed by the Coordination and Urgency (CU) Committee on 10 January 2002.

3. A Sub Committee comprising MPA Members, MPA officers, MPS staff and representatives from the Commission for Racial Equality held an initial meeting to consider an initial draft proposal. This has now been revised following detailed comments on the proposed research methodology from Johanna Gillians, the MPA's lead officer on performance management.

4. Desk research is also underway to scope similar evaluation carried out or in progress by the Home Office, or other police authorities/forces. The Scarman Centre appears to have carried out evaluation of the training delivered by Ionann Management Consultancy Ltd to police services in Thames Valley, South Wales, West Midlands and Gloucestershire. Members of the MPA Diversity Training (CRR) Evaluation Sub Group will be progressing this area of work and will report on progress to both the CDO Performance Sub Group and this committee. The Sub Group will circulate copies of the draft proposal to CDO Members when it has reached the stage of approval.

Risk assessment

5. Should the proposal to the CU Committee for a budget for this area of work not be approved, the MPA will not be resourced to undertake this project. It is therefore proposed that members delegate responsibility to the Chair of the Diversity Training (CRR) Sub Group to seek other avenues if the decision of the CCU is not supportive of the proposal submitted.

Diversity training (CRR) Sub Group

6. The following organisations have been invited to sit on the Sub Group:

• Association of Police Authorities
• Greater London Authority / Mayor's office
• Home Office
• MPS Independent Advisory Groups
• Black Police Association
• Community representative

Confirmation is being sought on the above and details will be brought to this Committee as the work progresses.

C. Financial implications

There are financial implications to this report. Proposal has been made to the CCU that £90,000 from the MPS Diversity Training budget should be retained by the MPS to fund this project. This budget should meet the cost of a secondee to develop the project methodology and manage the project. Alternatively, a project consultant can be contracted to undertake the work required. The costing of this project should be contained within the budget sought.

D. Background papers

Draft Discussion Paper – MPA review of MPS Diversity Training (CRR) November 2001
HMIC Report – Winning the Race, July 2000
The Metropolitan Police Diversity Strategy, May 2001
Diversity Training: Community Race Relations Workshop Management Information Report, July 2001

E. Contact details

Report author: Julia Smith, Consultation Diversity and Outreach, MPA.

For information contact:

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

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