Commissioner's Diversity Working Group

Report: 10
Date: 04 December 2003
By: Commissioner

Summary

This paper provides an update to members about the progress made by the Working Group since the BBC ‘Secret Policeman’ television programme.

A. Recommendation

That the Board notes the content of this report.

B. Supporting information

1. The Working Group was announced by the Commissioner in response to the BBC programme ‘The Secret Policeman’ where an under-cover reporter infiltrated the Centrex Training Centre (Bruche) in Warrington, Cheshire and recorded racist attitudes and behaviour from recruits from North Wales Police, Greater Manchester Police and Cheshire Constabulary. The Working Group was set up under Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur to conduct a critical review of our approach to diversity in its broadest sense. The first priority would be a review of recruitment procedures and systems at Hendon, including integrity testing. Secondly it would seek to assess what is currently being undertaken within the MPS around diversity, complaint, fairness at work and other related issues and thirdly, in consultation with stake holders, it would identify issues that are causing concern leading to an immediate, short, medium and long term action plan. The findings will shape the MPS Diversity Strategy.

2. The rational for the working group was rooted in the need to co-ordinate the multiplicity of internal initiatives and external inquiries, and to ensure that the MPS was able to harness good practice and improve its response within a number of key organisational areas.

3. The terms of reference for the Working Group are attached at appendix 1. 

4. The reporting lines for the Working Group are demonstrated in the proposed management structural chart attached at appendix 2. A separate Command under Commander (formerly Chief Superintendent) Ian Carter, who leads the Working Group, will co-ordinate the organisational response to the external inquiries, complementing the work of the Diversity Directorate and the Diversity Strategy Board.

5. The role of the Police Authority is seen as informing and offering an oversight of issues before submission to the MPS Diversity Board. For this purpose four members, Reshard Auladin, Cecile Wright, Rachel Whittaker and R. David Muir were nominated to undertake this following the Co-ordination and Policing Committee on 17 November 2003. 

6. The purpose of the work is to provide a ‘cross cutting’ exercise across the organisation. Many short-term actions have been completed such as the photographing of applicants to prevent ‘dual’ applications and the inclusion of a diversity related questionnaire for referees. A summary and analysis of the learning over the many commissioned inquiry reports will be available by the New Year.

C. Equality and diversity implications

The purpose of the Working Group is to ‘future proof’ the MPS for policing the most diverse major capital city in the world.

D. Financial implications

Finance has yet to be fully costed but is expected to be met within existing budgets.

E. Background papers

None. 

F. Contact details

Report author: Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Horne, Staff Officer to Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur.

For more information contact:

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

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