Proposed MPS police officer growth for 2003/04

Report: 10
Date: 16 January 2003
By: Commissioner

Summary

The 2003/04 budget submission included proposals for growth of 1,000 police officers in MPS numbers. This report asks members to note how, in the event that GLA budget approval allows for sufficient funding for that growth, those officers will be deployed in policing London.

A. Recommendations

1. The Committee is asked to note the contents of this report.

B. Supporting information

2003/04 budget submission

1. Members will be aware that the 2003/04 budget submission to the GLA proposes growth of 1,000 police officers, following on from officer growth of the same order in 2002/03. This proposed growth would be funded through the GLA precept.

2. The Commissioner and Management Board have given consideration to the deployment of an increase in officer numbers in 2003/04, with the intention of maximising this opportunity to provide increased policing service and visibility on boroughs and in those key operational command units (OCUs) which provide critical specialist policing services.

MPS operational pressures

3. Members will be aware of the other significant operational pressures facing the MPS. There are, for example, pressures on murder squads (as recognised by HMIC) and continuing issues concerning gun crime. These have considerable operational impact on the MPS and on boroughs, which rely on the specialist services provided by non-borough OCUs. In addition to growth on boroughs, therefore, the Commissioner intends to strengthen MPS capability in these and other similar operational areas.

4. Members will also recall that a separate submission has been made jointly by the MPA and MPS to the Home Office for additional funding for officer growth specifically to be deployed to counter terrorism work. A decision from the Home Office on that submission is still awaited. It has been deemed appropriate, whilst awaiting their decision, to acknowledge that the Home Office may not support the MPA/MPS application for additional counter terrorism funding, and that any counter terrorism officer growth in 2003/04 may therefore have to be resourced from the GLA-funded growth of 1,000 officers.

Proposed MPS police officer growth 2003/04

5. Subject to confirmation of the budget submission, members are asked to note that it is the intention of the MPS to distribute the additional 1,000 police officer growth for 2003/04 as follows:

• Borough OCUs: 600
• Non Borough OCUs: 400

6. As early as possible after confirmation of the budget, the MPS will come forward with proposals on distribution of these 600 officers to boroughs based on the Resource Allocation Formula, together with timings as to when growth will be achieved. With these 600 officers, borough strength (not including Heathrow OCU) should rise to 18,500 by the end of March 2004, an increase of 2,486 since March 2001, before the formula was reviewed.

C. Equality and diversity implications

There are no new equality issues other than those already reflected in the budget submission.

D. Financial implications

There are no new financial implications other than those already reflected in the budget submission.

E. Background papers

None

F. Contact details

Report author: Rose Fitzpatrick

For more information contact:

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

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