Borough implementation of MPS Race Equality Scheme

Report: 08
Date: 26 September 2002
By: Commissioner

Summary

This paper details progress towards implementing the arrangements set out in the MPS Race Equality Scheme.

A. Recommendations

Members are asked to note the report.

B. Supporting information

1. The MPS Race Equality Scheme was published on 31 May 2002. The scheme is on the internet and intranet sites. 

2. It has been distributed in hard copy to the MPA, Mayor for London, Commission for Racial Equality (CRE), Race Equality Councils, Community, Police Consultative Groups, Independent Advisory Group and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Advisory Group and London’s libraries. ACPO officers, Heads of Departments, Operational Command Unit (OCU) Commanders, the MPS library have all received a copy.

3. Positive press interest was received on the day of publication. This has been followed by the joint launch of the MPA and MPS Schemes at the full Authority meeting on 25 July.

4. The MPS Race Relations (Amendment) Act (RR(A)A) Steering Committee has met and reviewed its terms of reference, membership and action plan to reflect a renewed emphasis on implementation of the scheme, both at corporate and operational command unit (OCU) levels.

Progress on the implementation of the MPS RRA scheme and performance measures at borough level

5. The implementation of the Fair Practice – Service Delivery performance measures on boroughs is being progressed now. The means by which boroughs can collate data, and then analyse it are being designed. It is planned that data collection will commence in September.

6. The Diversity Strategy Monitoring Unit are delivering a local Diversity Strategy to boroughs, based on the corporate strategy. This includes reference to the RR(A)A. As of 13 September, 9 boroughs had local Diversity Strategies and 16 Boroughs were formulating strategies. 8 boroughs remain outstanding for establishing the extent of the delivery of a local strategy 

Strategies in place: Greenwich, Kingston, Barnet, Westminster, Hillingdon, Tower Hamlets, Islington, Brent, Haringey

Strategies being formulated: Richmond, Waltham Forest, Merton, Lambeth, Havering, Redbridge, Harrow, Sutton, Enfield, Camden, Bromley, Ealing, Bexley, Hackney, Kensington and Chelsea and Lewisham.

Extent of delivery to be ascertained: Barking and Dagenham, Croydon, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hounslow, Newham, Southwark

Draft of initial proposals, with timescale and outputs for internally monitoring performance against RES

7. The action plan created in response to the need to develop a Race Equality Scheme and implement the requirements of the RR(A)A has been reviewed in the light of the publication of the Scheme.

8. The action plan is available to all members of the MPS RR(A)A Steering Committee (and to staff via the intranet) and is used by members to monitor implementation of the requirements within the scheme. The action plan has defined tasks, with named individuals and time scales. A copy is attached at appendix 1.

9. The CRE performance guidelines for police forces (and authorities) are being considered for possible migration to the action plan.

10. The Diversity Monitoring Support Unit will collate and deal with complaints regarding non-compliance with the Scheme.

Overview of the corporate integration of the RRA scheme into the corporate planning process and links with the Commissioner’s CRE Leadership Challenge commitment

11. The scheme will be reviewed in May 2003. The process has begun to progress the proposal to include the scheme as an annex to the 2003/4 MPA/MPS Policing Plan. 

12. The new Corporate Policy Development Framework, which includes compliance with the RR(A)A, will be implemented by 30 September 2002.

13. The Leadership Challenge is being revised by the CRE, the revised edition being due in October 2002. It is not envisaged that the revised edition will measurably alter the initiatives contained within the Leadership Challenge’s action plans. 

14. The actions under the corporate action plan and Commissioner’s personal action plan are consistent with the scheme. The updating of the scheme’s action plan will draw upon the Leadership Challenge action plans in order to eliminate duplication of effort, and ensure delivery in both areas.

C. Equality and diversity implications

The arrangements within the Race Equality Scheme deal directly with the likely impact of MPS proposals on communities. Whilst this is focused on race, the principles can be applied to all priority groups.

D. Financial implications

The financial implications of this area of work have been incorporated into the existing financial arrangements for progressing the Diversity Strategy and the work of the Diversity Directorate within the MPS and will be contained within existing budgets.

E. Background papers

• None

F. Contact details

Report author: Fran Smith, Detective Chief Inspector, Diversity Directorate

For more information contact:

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

Appendix 1

See Supporting material.

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