Disabled people and the police: Report on the recent community conference

Report: 07
Date: 4 November 2004
By: Clerk

Summary

Members are aware that the MPA commissioned Greater London Action on Disability (GLAD) to produce a report and hold a conference on policing issues affecting disabled people. The key findings and action areas from the report formed the basis of discussion at the community conference on 7 October 2004. The draft report is currently being updated based on the discussions from the community conference and a final report and action plan will be put before the Community Engagement Committee 2 December 2004.

A. Recommendations

 That members note this update report.

B. Supporting information

Background

1. Current statistics indicate that out of a London population of 7.2 million people, 1.7 million can be described as ‘disabled people’ and over a quarter of a million Londoners are unable to work because of ‘permanent sickness or disability’. This statistic may well be an under estimate.

2. The citizen focus agenda clearly indicates that community interest, engagement and influence upon crime and disorder priorities and resource allocation are an essential part of the community accountability and partnership processes that the Metropolitan Police Authority is actively pursuing.

3. The MPA Community Engagement Unit believes that the methodology used to engage with disabled Londoners and by putting their views onto Committee agendas is an example of best practice. The methodology used broadened the way by which the MPA can effectively engage with all sectors of the population. Focussing on the citizen’s agenda ensuring that the urgency for a more purposeful community engagement process and accountability practice incorporates the enormous diversity of London and differing policing needs.

4. Over 100 people attended the conference. Bringing together disabled Londoners, MPS employees, members of the MPS’s Disabled Staff Association, the Strategic Disability team and representatives from organisations across London. The conference sought to engage with the diversity of London’s disabled communities. Attendees to the conference were diverse in terms of, age, gender and sexual orientation and ethnicity. It was a crucial aspect of the conference that participants also represented London in terms of the wide range of sensory and physical impairments, people with learning difficulties and mental health system users.

5. The draft report and its key findings formed the basis for workshops. Workshops split the recommendations presented by GLAD into 4 discussion areas. These were; experiences of crime – a better response, The other side of the law – what we want to happen, Consultation and action when talking to our police and The MPS as an employer. Additionally another workshop for non-disabled participants discussed the social model of disability, barriers to disabled people and making improvements as practitioners in the MPS.

6. The Chair of the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board Kirsten Hearn, the Deputy Commissioner Sir Ian Blair and Ossie Stewart addressed the conference and endorsed the report and its recommendations. Sir Ian Blair said in his speech “if this report by GLAD, which I have read, does not result, and this conference, does not result, and the efforts we are making to work with the disabled, does not result in improvements in service then we will have failed”. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Brian Paddick also endorsed the report during his closing address and as part of the panel during the questions and answer session.

7. The recommendations and action plans developed by disabled people, if agreed at the Community Engagement Committee on 2 December 2004, will assist the work of the EODB and the MPS in terms of implementation of recommendations and action plan.

8. The result of this process will provide the basis for a MPA strategy on engaging with disabled people in London. In addition, this will add to the results of the two community consultation exercises already undertaken by the MPS and assist in further informing the work of both the Disability Independent Advisory Group and the MPS as a service provider and as an employer.

9. The draft report highlighted 12 recommendations. The final report will incorporate conference discussions to the recommendations and provide clear directions by which the MPA and MPS can provide a fair service to the requirements of the London’s disabled people.

C. Race and equality impact

The consultation and engagement processes undertaken is presented as an example of best practice - asking disabled people to highlight recommendations and issues that have a real impact on the way the disabled community are and want to be policed. This will lead to disabled people who are represented in all equality strands having a greater voice to ensure a fair police service.

D. Financial implications

There are no additional financial implications. The budget is contained in the Community Engagement budget

E. Background papers

• EODB 02 September 2004 agenda item 5

F. Contact details

Report author: Vicky Knight

For more information contact:

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

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