Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of the Equal Opportunity & Diversity Board held on Thursday, 8 March 2007 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Kirsten Hearn (Chair)
• Cindy Butts
• Peter Herbert
• Aneeta Prem
• Richard Sumray also attended for consideration of agenda items 6 to 8

MPA officers

• David Riddle (Deputy Chief Executive and Clerk)
• Elizabeth Orsborn (Management Accountant)
• Laurence Gouldbourne (Head of Race and Diversity)
• Douglas Lewins, (Policy Development Officer, Race and Diversity Unit)
• John Crompton (Committee Services)

MPS officers

• Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur (Central Operations)
• Deputy Assistant Commissioner Alfred Hitchcock (Diversity and Citizen Focus)
• Commander Steve Allen, Chief Superintendent Ian Harrison (Citizen Focus)
• Superintendent Wayne Chance (Olympic Security Directorate)
• DCI Gerry Campbell attended for consideration of agenda item 11
• Chief Superintendent Barry Norman and Yasmin Rehman

Lee Jasper (co-opted member)

Also present:

• Vicky Kielinger, Senior Criminologist, MPS
• Gillian McDonald, MPS
• Harjinder Hoonjan, MPS
• Nathalie Stewart, CEO, Westminster Human Rights, Equalities & Race (Group)
• Ben Owusu, Director/Chair, Greenwich Action Committee Against Racist Attacks
• Ruth Bashall, Co-vice chair, MPS Disability Independent Advisory Group
• Susan Paterson, Senior Criminologist, Metropolitan Police Service
• M Hinton, LSE

58. Introductions and apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies for absence were received from John Roberts (Deputy Chair) and Damian Hockney. A number of apologies from members of the invited community organisations were also received.

International Women’s Day

The Chair reminded the meeting that it was International Women’s Day and invited Cindy Butts, Deputy Chair of the MPA, to address the meeting.

Cindy Butts identified the following challenges which faced women in London with particular reference to policing:

• the need to ensure women’s voices are listened to and to be acted upon
• to continue to strive for better representation of women throughout the police service and in particular the need to ensure that the glass ceiling is dismantled and to encourage women, whether police officers or staff to achieve their full potential
• to improve the quality of service which women receive, especially those who had been the victims of crime such as rape and domestic violence or who had been the victims of people trading.

Cindy Butts believed that as far as London was concerned there were some positive movements which should be noted. For example, the MPA had carried out a scrutiny into rape and had spearheaded the introduction of rape havens across London domestic violence board. Aneeta Prem was working with the MPS in developing a web site to be targeted at the victims of forced marriage and so called honour crimes. However, it was important not to forget that globally there were still serious inequalities with women being disproportionately affected by poverty, homelessness and diseases such as HIV/Aids.

59. Declarations of interests

(Agenda item 2)

No interests were declared.

60. Minutes – 18 January 2007

(Agenda item 3)

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the inquorate meeting held on 18 January 2007 be agreed and signed as a correct record and the decisions be ratified.

61. Follow up to the meeting on 18 January 2007

(Agenda item 5)

It was noted that a briefing paper had been circulated which provided more information on ethnicity descriptors which had been requested at the last meeting in the light of concerns raised by members.

62. Chair and Member’s update

(Agenda item 5)

No reports were given.

63. Focus item report by the MPS – How the MPS will deliver equality & diversity to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

(Agenda item 6)

A report was submitted which summarised how the MPS intends to ensure that diversity and citizen focus is ensured within the Olympic Programme and what current activity in these key areas has already taken place.

In introducing the report Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur said he would stress that from the outset diversity had been integral to planning for the games and this would follow through into the legacy. He outlined the planning programme as detailed in the report. There was learning from recent challenges such as the building of Wembley Stadium and Heathrow terminal 5. Two items which he would particularly highlight were that with regard to the volunteer programme that wherever possible local people and a performance regime would established.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted; and the Board supports the approach to delivering diversity and equal opportunities to London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games.

64. Concurrent report by the MPA on the focus item report

(Agenda item 7)

The purpose of this report is to outline some of the key opportunities, challenges and concerns from a range of equality and diversity perspectives for the MPS in its activities in relation to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and a progress report be requested on the equality and diversity issues as they relate to the five areas of activity as outlined in paragraph 2

65. Discussion on the focus item

(Agenda item 8)

Standing Orders were suspended for this item to enable contributions to be made from non-members.

Opening remarks by Richard Sumray

Richard Sumray, the MPA lead on the Olympic Games, provided an update on several aspects of Olympic planning he was involved in. A strategy on volunteering had been produced and diversity would be key to this. The MPS could contribute to this by leading the volunteer programmes in the run up to the Games. A pre-volunteering programme would be launched shortly and those who obtained the NVQ qualification would be guaranteed an interview for the volunteer programme. The vision was that many of these volunteers would be new to volunteering and secondly that the volunteers would get involved in other activities in their local community in the run up to 2012 and also that some would look at other ways of getting involved in the work of the police – for example the cadet scheme. He stressed that issues around disability were integral to planning both the Olympic and Paralympic Games and there was a need to ensure that people with disabilities became actively involved as volunteers. Richard Sumray concluded by referring to community engagement: he felt that no doubt there would be a large number of organisations which wished to consult with local communities. It was important that this consultation was joined up otherwise it would not be effective. It was key that people in all boroughs saw themselves as stakeholders.

Diversity aspects

In his introductory remarks Lee Jasper said he wished to echo the sentiment in the report that diversity was a golden thread which ran through both the reason why London had been successful in its bid for the Games as well as in their delivery. There were several challenges and it was an opportunity to demonstrate London’s world class credentials in being able to put on the event and to its commitment to diversity and inclusion. There was the issue of diversity in the MPS itself with the expectation that by 2012 the workforce at all levels would more faithfully reflect that of London as a whole. Access and training issues were crucial. He reminded the meeting that there would be a cultural Olympiad before the Games which would present its own challenges.

Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur said that there was an improving picture in terms of officer numbers and PCSOs. It was hoped to significantly increase the number of Special Constables The challenges were to join up with what people wished to do externally which was a disparate picture and how to create a level of confidence. The security template would be used as a means to secure inclusion.

Young people and volunteering

Cindy Butts said she was pleased to learn of the innovative approaches being taken to engage young people who might be on the cusp of engaging in criminal activity and enquired whether the volunteer recruitment was linked into the broader youth strategy which the MPS was developing. She felt there were opportunities in terms of diversion, building better relationships with local organisations and the voluntary sector and to cross cut into areas such as recruitment and youth crime.

Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur agreed that there were many major events ahead of the Olympic Games which should strengthen the interest in and commitment to volunteering. The youth strategy would be a key strand. Work was being done at the moment on collating information from Youth Offending Teams on young people around 14 and 16 who were just getting into trouble and to find ways they could get involved in the volunteer programme etc. This in turn would have an influence on the crime statistics.

Security – physical security in terms of venues, people security – adequate vetting of the people to be employed.

Performance monitoring

In reply to a question from Cindy Butts Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur confirmed that performance indicators and targets would be drawn up and any oversight by the EODB and MPA would be welcomed.

Construction period

Aneeta Prem reported that in Newham there was concern about the “invisible” work force involved around construction and the perception was that the numbers involved would increase. She also asked for more information about the work being planned in connection with women.

Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur confirmed that the police and other partners were alert to the invisible work force which Aneeta Prem had raised and he referred to a recent exercise at Wembley stadium targeted at illegal workers. There would be a visible uniform presence from the start of the construction period and a neighbourhood team was being established. A post incident data base was being established to be used in the event of a major incident. This involved assembling a data base on all those involved in the construction process with for example copies of passports and two pieces of biometric data being held. The Olympic Delivery Authority was being encouraged to recruit local people.

Gender issues

Cindy Butts referred to research which showed that women were at increased risk of domestic violence at the time of major sporting events. It was important to tap into this previous learning like this.

The Chair said that there would be great benefit for the police to work with appropriate women’s groups.

Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur confirmed that he was aware that there was a lot of learning from other similar events and this was would be tapped into. After terrorism serious and organised crime, which included offences such as people trafficking were assessed as the next most serious risk.

Disability aspects

Ruth Bashall, Co-vice chair, MPS Disability Independent Advisory Group referred to the connection between design and scrutiny issues and the concern that this might impact upon access for disabled people in terms of having to walk longer and being subject to searches. The searching of people in wheel chairs had to be done properly. She would like to see some outreach work especially with young disabled people to see how they could become involved.

The Chair suggested that it would be useful for the Assistant Commissioner to speak to the MPS Disability IAG about the learning which had come from Wembley stadium.

Other planning aspects

Ruth Bashall, Co-vice chair, MPS Disability Independent Advisory Group reported that through her involvement in boroughs such as Waltham Forest which are near the main sites for the Games she was aware of concerns that police resources would be diverted away these boroughs and from dealing with normal policing duties to concentrate on the Olympics. She would like to know what was being done to address these concerns.

Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur confirmed that part of the planning was to see how assurances could be give that normal policing would continue to be provided.

Profile of attendees/languages

Peter Herbert said it would be helpful to have information from events such as the Athens Olympic Games on the likely profile of nationalities represented by attendees. This would help in assessing the language skills needed by police officers. He enquired how much attention was being paid to having personnel on duty who could speak more than one language.

Richard Sumray felt that the profile of those attending the Games might not be similar to that say of Athens partly because there were many more nationalities represented in London. Hosting families from overseas was a good way of building links. Languages would clearly be important and the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games was carrying out some scoping work to understand this better.

Terrorism aspects including stop and searches

Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur confirmed that terrorism was regarded as being the biggest threat to the success of the event.

Cindy Butts said that her assessment was also that the biggest threat to the success of the Games was likely to be terrorism. The report on counter terrorism which the Authority had produced following consultation with Londoners had highlighted the need to look at Section 44 stop and searches.

Peter Herbert said he could foresee a huge increase in Section 44 stop and searches and cautioned that the wrongful use of these powers in the run up to the Games would be particularly harmful to community relations.

Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur said that whilst it would be possible to have a lighter touch but this would impact on the use of technology surveillance. As in many other aspects of the planning there would be scenario testing on security aspects.

Workforce considerations

Peter Herbert referred to the information on the profile of CO12/OSDD contained in the report which he did not consider to be satisfactory. Reference had been made to the workforce at the time of the Olympics being representative of the UK as a whole but he felt that in reality it was more important for it to reflect a more local profile.

Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur agreed that it would not be sustainable to rely on the present practices to obtain the kind of ethnicity representation which was needed in the Olympic security team. A change in legislation might be required and further consideration would be needed as to whether this should be by means of a stand alone policy for the Olympic Games or part of a broader legislative package The Olympic planning was under a statutory framework. His assessment was that it might be quicker to go for specific legislation for the Games.

Lee Jasper said he would remind the meeting that the Government would be publishing a consultative document on the legislative framework on employment (the Discrimination Law Review led by the Department of Trade and Industry) and he presumed that the MPS and MPA would be responding to the consultation.

Cindy Butts said the Association of Chief Police Officers had already started the debate on possible changes in the legislation on positive discrimination in the work place and there was therefore an opportunity for the MPS to engage in the debate.

Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur pointed out that there was a constitutional issue around the use of foreign police officers. He did not know whether there had been a nationality/language assessment but felt it quite likely that these would be a reflection of all communities already living in London. There was the question of whether to team up the communities.

Superintendent Wayne Chance said one of the key strands was people – including the work which was being done with the Human Resources Directorate in providing a baseline assessment of the make-up of the workforce. On training it should be borne in mind that officers might have to be brought in from other police services and it as important to have a common standard of training.

Ben Owusu, Director/Chair, Greenwich Action Committee Against Racist Attacks referred to the fact that depending on the level of vetting information might be required from foreign governments. It was the case that not all countries co-operated by providing the relevant information in a timely manner or even at all.

Peter Herbert referred to concerns around some people not being allowed into the country and not being able to get messages to family and friends.

Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur said that vetting had not been an issue but there could be challenges ahead. There was a confidential planning exercise. He confirmed that he was aware of the exclusion point raised by Peter Herbert.

Use of contractors

Ben Owusu, Director/Chair, Greenwich Action Committee Against Racist Attacks asked what steps were being taken to ensure that all the contractors and consultants were aware of what was being done to ensure that the firms were fully signed up to the requirements regarding equal opportunities and diversity.

Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur confirmed that procedures were in place and he would take the opportunity to test these for himself.

Lee Jasper reported that he had discussed the equal opportunities aspects of contractors and consultants with the ODA and he could report that the contract requirements regarding diversity were by far the most advanced he had seen. The standard practice would be to utilise the local workforce.

Summing up

Richard Sumray said that the ODA was the main employing authority for contractors at the moment but LOCOG would become increasingly involved nearer the time. Languages would clearly be important and LOCOG were carrying out some scoping work to understand this better. There were training opportunities which could be used by the MPS and others. He would stress that as the country as a whole which would benefit from the Games it was important that there was a wide sense of being able to contribute to the success of the event as well.

As regards forward planning London was significantly ahead of Athens in planning for security. Some good co-ordination with other partners had already taken place and it was important that this continue and was monitored.

Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur said that the critical oversight was important and should continue. There would be regular scenario testing and there might be an opportunity to do something specifically on say young disabled people. The criminal justice scenario which had been chaired by Richard Sumray had been very useful.

RESOLVED – That the discussion be noted.

66. MPS Citizen focus diversity update

(Agenda item 9)

This report provided an update regarding the role of the MPS Citizen Focus Policing Programme in designing and delivering high quality policing services, according to individual need, through engagement with service users. It also outlined the work that has been undertaken to integrate data regarding Citizen Focus and Diversity into the service performance management frameworks.

Ben Owusu, Director/Chair, Greenwich Action Committee Against Racist Attacks said that one of the issues for black people was that when they asked the police to respond to an incident the officers intended to speak first to the perpetrator rather than the victim.

In reply Deputy Assistant Commissioner Alfred Hitchcock said that he was surprised to learn that this was the case but would reiterate the need to do this.

Cindy Butts reported that as the MPA lead on citizen focus she was aware that a lot of work had been done. The challenge now was to ensure that this was no put into practice by every officer and member of staff.

The Head of Diversity asked about the satisfaction figures for keeping in touch with the victims of crime.

DAC Hitchcock confirmed that this was the year for focussing on delivery and keeping in touch throughout the process. Delivery was “to need”.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

67. Proposed development of an integrated hate crime strategy

(Agenda item 10)

A report was submitted which provided a view of the strategic vision that has led to proposals for an integrated hate crime strategy in London following extensive initial consultation. This report also contains initial findings from the consultation and sets out how this work is to be taken forward and sets out the current position with regard to the development of a pan-London integrated hate crime strategy and as an opportunity for MPA Members to contribute to discussions about the proposals, strategic view and future development of a strategy.

Commander Allen said the sanctioned detection performance to date in the current year for hate crime overall was 30.5% which was 7.5% above that achieved last year. The aim was to secure a continued improvement.

The Director of Partnerships and Diversity, Violent Crime Directorate said that discussions were being held to establish which agency would lead on hate crime given the clear indication from the consultation that it should not be the police.

Cindy Butts said that it was important that the police had a high level of input into these discussions to ensure that the outputs expected of the police service were deliverable.

Peter Herbert said the Race Hate Crime Forum would be pleased to assist in developing the strategy.

RESOLVED-That the report be noted, and it be noted that an integrated and cohesive, pan-London Hate Crime Strategy can only be developed with the support of internal and external stakeholders.

68. Operation Athena

(Agenda item 11)

A report was submitted which provided an update on the achievements of Operation Athena, including responses to domestic violence and hate crime and community engagement and support.

In reply to a question from the Chair DCI Campbell said that the timescale for the appointing of liaison officers for all diversity strands had yet to be determined.

It was agreed that the report be referred to the Diversity Board.

RESOLVED – That

1. the report be noted;
2. the MPA continues to support Operation Athena and similar hate crime targeted operations; and
3. the report be referred to the Diversity Board.

69. Reports from EODB sub-groups

(Agenda item 12)

A report was submitted which updated the Board on the works of the Stop and Searches Review Board, the Community Monitoring Network and the Domestic Violence Board.

The Head of Race and Diversity reported that consideration was being given to the process for signing-off the recommendations from the Stop and Search Review and this could include a joint event with other partners.

The meeting closed at 4.05 p.m.

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