Minutes

Notes of the inquorate meeting of the Equal Opportunity & Diversity Board held on Thursday, 7 February 2008 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Kirsten Hearn (Chair),
• Aneeta Prem (Deputy Chair)
• Cindy Butt

MPA officers

• Laurence Gouldbourne (Head of Equality and Diversity)
• Douglas Lewins (Policy Development Officer, Equality and Diversity Unit)
• Melissa Wagstaff (Research Analyst)
• John Crompton (Committee Services)

MPS officers

• Temporary Commander Sharon Kerr
• Mike Taylor, Specialist Crime Directorate
• Mark Thomson, Specialist Crime Directorate
• Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Ball, Specialist Crime Directorate
• Detective Chief Inspector Andy Simon, Specialist Crime Directorate
• Detective Chief Superintendent Glen Allison
• Superintendent Annette Wightman

Also present:

• Helen Buckley and Michael Clarke, Lewisham Community Police Consultation Group
• Gurpal Virdi, Metropolitan Police Sikh Association
• Fred Ellis, Haringey CPCG
• Linbert Spencer, Linbert Spencer Consultancy
• Nathalie Stewart, Westminster Human Rights Equalities and Race
• Rita Halbright, Workshop Facilitator NCBI London
• Marie Stewart, Director Taylor-Stewart Associates
• Peter Collier, Waddon/Croydon Safer Neighbourhood Group
• Alfred John, Chair Met Black Police Association

47. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies for absence were received from Damian Hockney, Bob Neill and Lee Jasper (co-opted member). A number of apologies from members of the invited community organisations were also submitted.

48. Declarations of interests

(Agenda item 2)

No interests were declared.

49. Minutes - 4 December 2007

(Agenda item 3)

Noted that these would be submitted to the next meeting.

50. Follow up to the meeting on 4 December 2007

(Agenda item 4)

No matters

51. Chair and members update

(Agenda item 5)

No matters.

52. MPA management information report

(Agenda item 6)

The MPA management information report gives further detail on the EODB focus item and other equality and diversity information for hate crime, strength, recruitment and MPA staff figures.

This meeting of the Board is focusing on how the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) uses and delivers equality and diversity in its response to gun crime

The Research Analyst reported that future reports would include information on stops made.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

53. MPS report on focus item - how the MPS delivers equality and diversity in its response to gun crime

(Agenda item 7)

This report described how the MPS uses and delivers equality and diversity in its response to gun crime by explaining the background to the current MPS gun crime strategy; giving a statistical breakdown of current gun crime data, particularly as it relates to diversity; describing the strategic and operational response and how these link to specific communities and a look at future developments.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Considered in conjunction with

54. Mini-review of SCD8 Trident operational command unit

(Agenda item 8)

This report outlines the work of Specialist Crime Directorate (SCD)8 Trident, which deals with the prevention and investigation of shootings in London. It explains the work of the Operational Command Unit (OCU), which includes overt and covert prevention initiatives, community engagement and the investigation of murders and serious assaults by shooting. The report described how the OCU builds relationships with those communities most affected by shootings, including the role of the Trident Independent Advisory Group. The report sets out the OCU’s plans for further increasing the number of officers from black and minority ethnic backgrounds in support of its work

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

55. Concurrent report by the MPA on the focus item and Trident mini-review

(Agenda item 9)

A report was submtitted which outlined some of the key challenges and concerns in relation to the Metropolitan Police Service’s (MPS) response to gun crime from a range of equality and diversity perspectives. The report also contains a response to the mini-review of Trident Operational Command Unit.

RESOLVED - That

1. the progress and successes made by MPS in tackling gun crime be noted;

2. the MPS be asked to respond to the challenges from an equality and diversity perpsective listed in paragraphs 3 to 13 as part of its ongoing and future policy formulation, employment, community engagement and service delivery activities within the next 12 months; and

3 within 12 months there be submitted a brief progress report against the targets set by the MPS with regards to increasing the representation of women, disabled and Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) within Operational Command Units (OCUs) which have an explicit gun crime remit.

56. Discussion on the focus item and Trident mini-review reports

(Agenda item 10)

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

Witness and victim protection

Aneeta Prem asked whether the protection offered was limited in time and what can be done in circumstances if people do not wish to move from the borough they live in.

Temporary Commander Kerr said that witness protection is all-encompassing and was available to all those who wished to use it but she would stress that participation was voluntary. She would confirm that many family and friends understandably wish to remain in the community and there were many cases where people were simply not prepared to undergo the compromises which a major change in their lives would entail.

The Head of Equality and Diversity commented that in the future there would increasingly need to be a focus on protection for business as well as individuals.

DCS Ball said that whilst there was very good community support through e.g Crime Stoppers at the initial stages of an investigation about giving information, many individuals were reluctant to participate beyond that stage. There was a raft of support available when it came to giving evidence in court to ensure protection and anonymity such as voice distortion and giving evidence via video link. Starting tonight a series of events were being held in local communities to publicise these specific measures which related to giving evidence. The wider question of witness protection was an issue across the MPS and it was the case that it was not always easy to find suitable locations to re-locate to in every case.

Trafalgar team

Aneeta Prem asked whether following the recent changes does the Trafalgar team still exist?

DCS Ball explained that the Trafalgar officers as the team which until recently investigate the offences which had either a black victim or a black suspect (but not both). It was not felt to be a sensible way of proceeding in the long term. North west north east and south – same officers but were now investigating these non-fatal incidents purely on a geographical basis.

Project Alliance

Peter Collier referred to paragraph 10 of the focus report which mentioned Croydon. He had a meeting with the Borough Commander later in the day and would be grateful for a briefing.

Mark Thomas reported that Croydon was part of Project Alliance which was working with four other boroughs – a lot of the work they were doing was around young people such as safe houses.

Partnership working

Cindy Butts asked what other partners were doing and how the MPS assesses the quality of what they do and how to get other partners to acknowledge they have a role.

Representation

Cindy Butts reported that she often heard the comment within the community that there ought to be better BME representation in the Trident OCU. However, for the victims of crime who were seen officers the primary consideration was the way they were treated in a professional and effective manner.

Temporary Commander Kerr said she would stress that SCD only recruited experienced investigators. Although it was the case that detectives had traditionally been regarded as a being mainly white and male she felt that the position looked more promising for the future with more officers from various backgrounds expressing an interest in joining Trident and the other proactive specialist units. At a recent open event for example there had been 200 expressions of interest. There was an increased emphasis on prevention across all areas of specialist crime and this now under-pins all we do.

DCS Ball confirmed that there was a case for increasing the proportion which is why a target of 15% had been set. The rationale being that if people saw more BME officers it would make them feel more confident in providing intelligence etc.

Chief Inspector Andy Simon said it had to be borne in mind that candidates to join had to be fully trained. He also felt that there was a barrier to overcome to BME officers joining if they felt that they might not always be treated fairly by others in the community.

Nathalie Stewart asked how many of the 8% Trident officers BME officers are female? In reply DCS Ball said that the information would be made available.

Cindy Butts referred to the comments which had been made about the size of the pool from which Trident officers were drawn. She would like to know whether consideration had been given to the more creative use of what had been described as a depleted pool– for example, the use of volunteers when you go out to make presentations.

DCS Ball advised that funds had been made available to obtain a van which will go to the scene of incidents and it is intended that volunteers would assist in manning it. Other innovative ideas were being examined including a greater use of volunteers.

Guns Gangs and Weapons

Cindy Butts said there needed to be a proper shared understanding across the organisation about guns, knives and gangs.

In reply to various points Mike Taylor said that he felt that changes which were due to take effect from 1 April meant that violent crime would become a primary focus for work across the MPS. Work was being done on the new ~PSAs to ensure that all the relevant parties were fully involved – for example, health visitors. The guns gangs and weapons board would report directly on a quarterly basis to the London Community Safety Partnership comprising key stake holders chaired by the Deputy Commissioner. It would be devoting its April meeting to this subject. He felt that new PSA and APACS would make a difference with violent crime – which included gun crime having a greater priority than hitherto . Health visitors were seen as a crucial part of this.

 Aneeta Prem said it was clear that the gang and weapon culture was spreading to for example boys from the Indian sub-Continent.

Mike Taylor agreed that the pattern of violent of crime was constantly evolving and the practitioners forum which reports to the Guns Gangs and Weapons Reductions Board had identified a clear need to capacity build in new communities .

General points

Cindy Butts said she wished to make the point that boroughs were accorded Trident status with a certain crime level, but it was important to work with other boroughs who might soon reach that status

Aneeta Prem wished to thank Cindy Butts for the work she did on Trident.

Trident IAG

Cindy Butts felt that the Trident OCU should task the Trident IAG to ensure that it continued to be representative of relevant BME communities so that newer communities in London such as the Somali one were represented.

DCS Ball said that as part of its very valuable work the IAG was carrying out community engagement with parts of the community which would otherwise be very difficult to reach.

Comparisons with other cities

Nathalie Stewart asked how the percentage of BME victims and perpetrators of crime in London compare with the position in cities such as Birmingham and Manchester?

DCS Ball said a forum was being set up to work with other large cities, but the specific information requested was not to hand.

Trident community engagement

Alfred John, Chair Met Black Police Association referred to the various community engagement work carried out by the Association some of which directly involved Trident issues. He commended Trident for the work it was doing and was concerned that budget cuts which were being made across the organisation might put this good work in jeopardy. There was a particular concern that any reduction would particularly affect community engagement work especially youth engagement

Temporary Commander Kerr said that Trident and SCD were both getting increases in their budgets as far as the proactivity and community engagement elements are concerned.

Mark Thomson confirmed that whilst all parts of the MPS had was required to make a contribution to the budget overall reduction – this was £6.4M in the case of SCD, it had been possible to protect key areas such as Trident and whilst reductions were being made in some areas, there were also areas of growth.

Alfred John said he ran the Young Leaders for Safer Cities course which was at BTEC level. He would urge the organisation especially Trident to invest more in it order to guarantee its continued success.

Detective Superintendent Taylor acknowledged the good work being done by the BPA. The Chair said she was also aware of good work being done by the BPA and other organisations in her link borough of Haringey

Chief Inspector Simon reported that he had been doing some mentoring work amongst black children who were on the verge of being excluded. He also referred to a scheme in Lambeth for young men who had been charged with knife crimes.

Sentencing

Aneeta Prem said it would be interesting to know how often the five year minimum sentence for carrying a gun was actually imposed. She asked whether the police had view on the minimum sentence for carrying a knife, bearing in mind that a lot of young people say they perceive themselves as being the victims of crime

Temporary Commander Kerr said there was a general acceptance that sentencing did not provide the whole solution. More creative solutions were being explored –for example to work more closely with families especially mothers to prevent these crimes being committed in the first place. In Manchester there were wrap-around services for young offenders and their siblings and work was being carried out to see whether something similar could be introduced in London .

Summing up

The Head of Race and Diversity said that many points had been made about recruitment which was the theme of the next EODB meeting. Partnerships –the issue seemed to be ensuring that the partner organisations remained involved. .The Board would welcome a follow up report in a year’s time so that it could be advised for example on progress made in engaging with new communities in London such as from Eastern Europe.

RESOLVED – That the discussion be noted.

57. Equality and diversity in Specialist Crime Directorate

(Agenda item 11)

This report provides an update on equality and diversity in Specialist Crime Directorate (SCD) since the last report in January 2007. It summarises the work undertaken by SCD, provides details of its relationship with the Diversity and Citizen Focus Directorate (DCFD), outlines SCD’s Diversity Strategy, and compares the profile of SCD’s officers and staff with last year. The report describes what SCD OCUs are doing to increase recruitment from ethnic groups and to challenge the perception that BME colleagues are under represented in the management structure.

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

Cindy Butts referred to paragraph 14 of the report and asked for an explanation of on the comment about the need for the SCD diversity strategy to be more outward facing. Mike Taylor said: it was about what impact do we have on how we connect with the outside world and how for example we respond to faith issues. A report on the external aspects was due to go to the March meeting of the Diversity Board.

Nathalie Stewart suggested that collecting more data about age should be a priority as this would assist in retaining experienced officers beyond the normal period of 30 year’s service. Sikh police officers are not often spoken about: could we be assured that the Sikh community is not forgotten about in terms of representation, both male and female.

Mike Taylor said he was not sure whether we have a specific Sikh representation on the Diversity Forum at present but this would be welcome. The point about the loss of experienced officers is very relevant at the moment with a lot of officers who had joined during a recruitment boom in the mid 1970s and who had gone onto work in the specialist units, now reaching retirement age.

Aneeta Prem asked what was being done to address the fact that some parts of the Directorate especially the Crime Academy have very low numbers of BME officers. Also, what was being done to improve the data collection on disability, faith and sexual orientation and what training was there to bring about an improvement?.

With regard to the Crime Academy Mike Taylor felt it should be borne in mind that the actual number of officers involved was low. There were an action plan to address the issue which had been raised and the initiatives being pursued included an open day. Details of the action plan would be made available to the Authority. Data collection was a challenge across the organisation and had been raised at the MPS Diversity Board. Until people had confidence that the data would only be used for the purposes it was intended there would probably be reluctance to reveal personal information. At a recent LGBT History Month event specific concerns had bee raised concerning the LGBT community. To take it forward these issues were identified in the action plan and a number of working groups e.g. for disability issues were due to be set up. It was seen as important in view of the issues of trust and confidence.

The Chair said that the same comment had been made in connection with other parts of the organisation and she was interested to learn what it would take to change the reluctance to reveal personal information.

Gurpal Virdi Metropolitan Police Sikh Association, said that speaking as a detective with many years experience he could testify that throughout my service BME officers have been discriminated against when applying for promotion. The facts spoke for themselves:, SCD only had 5% officers compare d with 8% across the MPS and there was only one female detective inspector from the Asian community. He had been a member of the Diversity Forum and have to say it was just a talking shop. Whilst myself going for promotion within SCD I was discriminated against. What is SCD doing to address this?

Mark Thompson said it was acknowledged that SCD was below the corporate average. In time it remains the hope and expectation that this will improve.

Cindy Butts said that even if we accept the argument that the pool was not as large as we would like then you have to do all you can to manage talent within the organisation and to increase representation. Would stress that recruitment was by no means the end of the story.. The MPA had carried out a scrutiny into these issues which contained a number of recommendations and the MPS had agreed to sign up to implementing them.

Detective Chief Superintendent Allison said if we look at our performance from Lawrence Report onwards each officer now had a general duty to challenge discrimination . It was accepted that still more had to be done. There was no lack of spirit to deliver, but it remained a struggle.

In summing up the discussion the Chair reported that representative workforce was the theme for our next meeting. Personally she felt that it is necessary to look at how we can change the culture of organisation so that everybody is in a position people are to feel they can progress.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

58. Scrutiny of the race element of the MPS Race Equality Scheme

(Agenda item 12)

This report is intended to provide members with an overview of the work currently being undertaken by the MPS Diversity and Citizen Focus Directorate (DCFD) with particular reference to the Race element of the MPS Equalities Scheme.

59. Update on the MPA Race Equality Scheme

(Agenda item 13)

The report provided an update on progress with the Race Equality Scheme
actions and the future of the scheme.

RESOLVED - That the progress made in taking forward the actions in the MPA Race Equality Scheme 2005 – 2008 action plan and agree the way forward be noted.

60 Update on achievements towards the integration of the Equality Standard for Local government within the policing of London

(Agenda item 14)

A report was submitted which provided the Board with an update on the extensive efforts to work with the developers of the Equality Standard for Local Government (ESlg) to tailor this equality framework to meet its needs. Work was now in progress to develop a performance management framework for the MPS that builds upon the principle of continuous improvement that will include many of the key component parts of the ESlg.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

60. Update on progress towards meeting the Equality Standard for Local Government

(Agenda item 15)

The report outlines where the MPA is on the Equality Standard for Local Government (ESfLG) and how it proposes to respond to changes made within ESfLG. It also provides a concurrent response to the MPS’ position paper in relation to the ESfLG.

RESOLVED – That

1. The steps that the MPA is taking to meet Level 3 of the EsfLG be agreed; and

2. The response to the MPS’ progress towards EsfLG be agreed.

61. Reports from the EODB sub-groups - London Race hate Crime Forum

(Agenda item 16)

No report submitted.

The meeting closed at 4.09 p.m.

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