Diversity issues of policing public order events

Report: 05
Date: 4 November 2004
By: Commissioner

Summary

This report relates to the response of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to the subject of diversity at public order events and what we do as a service to cater for those participants with particular needs and requirements.

A. Recommendations

That members note the contents of this report.

B. Supporting information

1. Demonstrations, protests, marches, and large-scale festivals and events, and the consequent policing of them, have formed a constant backdrop to life within London for many years. The themes of these events are many and diverse. The participants and communities involved are equally diverse and range across the social spectrum. The type and size of such events and their potential for public disorder are matters that concern the MPS and dictate the policing response that we provide.

2. Diversity is a key principle that underpins all areas of policing; issues surrounding diversity are a constant theme in our planning and the policing of public order events. The MPS has responded positively and quickly to ensure that our practices and procedures reflect this in planning for major events. Community impact assessments inform our decision-making processes and a positive awareness and appreciation of diversity has become a predominant and abiding principle when planning, resourcing, and policing public order events.

3. Events, such as the Disabled Action Network (DAN), Pride, and Notting Hill , which have a clear diversity strand, are given specific focus from the outset. All events, and any diversity issues relating to them, are addressed at senior officer level during the planning, strategy and resourcing stages where risk assessments and event contingencies are fully taken into account. Risk assessments are carried out based on intelligence obtained and from liaison with the organisers of such events. Many events will not necessarily have such a clear agenda; nevertheless, diversity issues have recently become a standing agenda item at all meetings and will be addressed accordingly. Organisers have a corresponding duty of care to their people to inform the MPS of any diversity issues if not previously identified.

4. If diversity issues are identified then various strategies are put in place to ensure that the needs and requirements of participants are fully met. For example:

For DAN demonstrations the MPS Diversity Unit has published advice leaflets and documentation for police officers dealing with disabled members of the public and further training is offered where necessary. Officers are also fully briefed on their extra responsibilities. Others who are skilled in signing and communication with hearing impaired people are deployed and special vehicles with lifting equipment are hired and used where necessary.

For events such as Pride marches, members of the Gay Police Association (GPA) attend stewards’ briefings and MPS strategy meetings to ensure that any particular issues arising are fully addressed.

Events with religious or faith issues are addressed by extensive liaison and negotiation with organisers and community leaders to ensure that their individual strictures and sensibilities are honoured as far as possible.

Many other events involve members of minority ethnic groups or other minorities. Examples of these might include those currently opposed to or in favour of the war in Iraq or those with concerns over the impact of legislation on rural life such as the Countryside Alliance and their supporters. There is a diversity element in these examples and this identified at an early stage and addressed at initial planning meetings.

5. All officers are instructed in diversity issues during training and subsequently at their borough stations as a matter of course. Thus all officers deployed on public order events, having had this training, should be fully aware of their obligations and responsibilities. Bespoke briefings are carried out before any public order event where the MPS Statement of Mission, Vision & Values is given full emphasis, as are details of any diversity issues relevant to that particular event.

6. Senior officers required to command public order events, attend strategic training courses. Part of their training includes interviews by Independent Advisory Groups (IAG). These are made up of high profile members of different communities. The officers are exposed to questioning from IAG members and this experience increases their awareness of a multitude of issues and concerns of diverse communities.

7. The issue of accountability and transparency is addressed and this will be ever more necessary under forthcoming freedom of information regulations whereby details of planning and strategy meetings, minus sensitive information, would be made available to interested parties, post event.

C. Race and equality impact

1. It would be considered contrary to MPS diversity and equality policies if it were perceived that as an organisation we had not taken all reasonable steps to identify such issues and the potential negative impact of ignoring them at public order events.

2. Current MPS diversity and equality training strategies for all personnel and the particular care taken at the strategic planning level to identify and manage such issues has largely negated any adverse implications for diversity within this report.

D. Financial implications

There are no additional financial implications that arise from this report.

E. Background papers

None

F. Contact details

Report author: Andrew McMillan

For more information contact:

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

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