Minutes

Minutes of the Co-ordination and Policing Committee held on 10 September 2004 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Len Duvall (Chair)
• Reshard Auladin
• Cindy Butts
• Toby Harris
• Kirsten Hearn
• Elizabeth Howlett
• Richard Sumray
• Rachel Whittaker
• Abdal Ullah

Also present

• Peter Herbert

MPA officers

• Catherine Crawford (Clerk)
• David Riddle (Deputy Clerk)
• Peter Martin (Treasurer)
• Nick Baker (Head of Committee Services)

MPS officers

• Sir Ian Blair (Deputy Commissioner)
• Ailsa Beaton (Director of Information)

Part 1

9. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies for absence were received from Karim Murji and Graham Tope.

10. Declarations of interest

(Agenda item 2)

No interests were declared.

11. Minutes of Co-ordination and Policing Committee - 19 July 2004

(Agenda item 3)

The Committee considered the minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2004.

Jennette Arnold requested that in relation to minute 4 ‘Review of Resource Allocation Formula 2005/06’ reference should be made to the education component. It was agreed that future consideration of this subject should incorporate this issue.

With reference to minute 7 paragraph 3, it was agreed to remove the following text ‘differed as to whether co-opted directors should be used to ensure diversity, however, they’.

Resolved - That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 July, subject to the change to minute 7, be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

12. Review of taser within the MPS

(Agenda item 4)

The Committee received a report that provided an update on the current trial by ACPO of Taser, the less lethal option.

The report informed members of the current position of the ACPO trial; MPS operational statistics; details of training in the use of Taser; geographical deployment of the use of Taser; and concluded with and evaluation of use so far. The report also outlined the ethnic breakdown of subjects involved in Taser use. In presenting the report the Deputy Commissioner apologised to members that the ethnicity information was inappropriately presented within the report and agreed that he would ensure that this information was presented more consistently in future.

Most members supported the continued use of Taser as a less lethal option, but in doing so raised a number questions. These included:

• Concern at the possible disproportionality in the use of Taser.
• Concern relating to failing/faults of the Taser.
• A need for a greater input into working with communities following the discharging of Taser.
• Further work was needed on use on the mentally ill/potential suicide cases.
• There was a need for a fuller evaluation of Taser, prior to any expansion of use.
• There is a need for robust supervision of use and training provided.
• Londoners need to be made more aware of Taser and this should be undertaken by dialogue with community groups.
• Following any discharge a robust evaluation should be undertaken.
• Concern was raised that the workload of armed vehicles would at least double with a resultant fall in efficiency in dealing with the most serious armed calls.
• Any future expansion of use of Taser should be discussed with the MPA before any roll out.

The Deputy Commissioner acknowledged the concerns raised by members. He agreed that there was work to be done with communities and possibly CPCGs in communicating the benefits of Taser as a less lethal option more widely. He also agreed that following the discharging of a Taser, information should be more readily available to communities.

The Deputy Commissioner in highlighting the benefits of Taser as a less lethal suggested that the use of Taser could be included in the forthcoming mental health review. He supported the use of Taser, when appropriate in relation to people threatening suicide.

Confirmation was given that robust supervision and training was undertaken and that following any discharge of a Taser a full investigation was also undertaken. With regard to any growth in the use of Taser and the effects on the workload of officers, the Deputy Commissioner agreed that there would need to be a better methodology of its use. He also noted the comments from the Chair that any future report would need to full account the financial implications of any wider roll out of Taser.

The Deputy Commissioner suggested that to ensure that there was a robust monitoring of the use of Taser, the Planning, Performance and Review Committee should received regular updates. He also confirmed that if a decision was taken by the Home Office to widen the use of Taser, the MPS would discuss this in first instance with the MPA.

Resolved – That the Committee note the updated details of the current trial and issues that had been raised and recognised the positive benefits that continued deployment of Taser would bring to the MPS

13. MPS approach to and progress with the PITO custody and care preparation system in the MPS

(Agenda item 5)

Members received a report that outlined the Home Office’s NSPIS custody and case preparation programme.

It was reported that there was concern as to the suitability of systems to meet MPS requirements and in relation to the limited financial information being provided. As a result there was further concerns about being able to be ready for service by 30 September 2005 and for full roll out of NSPIS custody and case preparation by 31 March 2006.

The Chair proposed that this issue be considered further by the C3I Oversight Panel. He also suggested that representations needed to be made at the PITO Board. In conclusion, the Chair requested that a letter be drafted for him to sign to the Home Office raising the concerns highlighted by the MPS.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

14. MPA engagement in crime and disorder reduction partnerships

(Agenda item 6)

The Committee considered a report that proposed the level of Authority engagement with local crime and disorder reduction partnerships (CDRPs). The report also outlined a number of areas that the Authority may wish to promote within each CDRP in London

It was noted that the suggested themes within the report were aimed to be MPA priority themes and would not preclude CDRPs or MPA representatives from initiating and engaging in other areas. It was also acknowledged that other themes would also be specific to certain boroughs.

The Chair proposed that following a useful discussion about the themes, that the report be revised to reflect the points raised by Members and then put to the full Authority to engage all members in the debate.

Resolved – That

1. the proposed general approach of the Authority to partnership working be endorsed; and
2. a revised report be presented to the full Authority for consideration.

15. Arrangements for Commissioner interviews

(Agenda item 7)

The Committee received an update on the selection process for the Commissioner.

Members were informed that a joint MPA/Home Office advertisement for the post had been placed and were given details of the key dates for selection and details of the Home Office/Mayor input into the process.

The Chair proposed that the membership of the interviewing panel for the new commissioner consist of the Chair and two Deputy Chairs of the Authority, the Chair of each Committee, the Home Office independent member appointee and 1 GLA conservative member.

It was also proposed that all remaining members be invited to hear a presentation by the candidates.

Members requested that in view of the size of the Panel, adequate interview time was made available.

Resolved – That

1. the interview panel for the Commissioner’s interview consists of the Chair and two Deputy Chairs of the Authority, the Chair of each Committee, The Home Office independent member appointee and 1 GLA conservative member; and
2. the remaining members be invited to attend presentation each candidate.

16. Link member appointments

(Agenda item 8)

Members were asked to consider link member appointments to four boroughs.

The Chair informed members that he had considered appointments to Haringey and Islington. Whilst acknowledging the expressions of interests from Lynne Featherstone and Nicky Gavron, he had agreed that Kirsten Hearn be appointed link member for Haringey and Jennette Arnold be appointed as link member to Islington.

Appointments to Barking and Dagenham and Havering should be referred to the full Authority.

In addition, members agreed that as a point of principle in future GLA constituency members should be appointed as borough link members to their constituency boroughs

Resolved – That

1. Kirsten Hearn be appointed as link member to Haringey; and Jennette Arnold to Islington;
2. appointments to Barking and Dagenham and Havering be referred to the full Authority
3. as a point of principle, future GLA constituency members should be appointed as borough link members to their constituency boroughs

17. Exclusion of press and public

A resolution was put to exclude the press and public from the meeting during an additional urgent item as it was likely to disclose exempt information as described in Schedule 12(a) (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Resolved – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during discussion of an additional urgent item

Summary of exempt minutes

18. C3I/Airwave position report – integrated communications platform.

The Committee received an urgent position report from the MPS on C3I/Airwave – integrated communication platform

The meeting closed 1.20 p.m.

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