Operational Support Policing Service Improvement Review

Report: 16
Date: 10 Jul 2003
By: Commissioner

Summary

This report outlines the Project Initiation Document (PID) for the Operational Support Policing Service Improvement Review.

A. Recommendations

That members approve the Project Initiation Document (PID) for the Operational Support Policing Service Improvement Review.

B. Supporting information

Background to the review

1. On 9 January 2003 this Committee adopted the recommendation of MPS Management Board that the 2003/2004 programme of Service Improvement Reviews should include Operational Support Policing. This Review would compliment the then current best value review of demand management and focus on the use of pan-London specialist units.

2. The Operational Support Policing Service Improvement Review will be the first opportunity to use the new MPA approach that seeks to achieve an improvement in performance based on the application of the principles rather than a rigid compliance with the 4Cs (consult, compare, challenge and compete) for their own sake.

Operational Support Policing

3. Uniformed police officers, based on BOCU Response Teams, provide the first wave of response to calls for assistance from members of the public. Together with other BOCU based units they are able to successfully resolve the vast majority of incidents but, from time to time, require support from centrally based units (e.g. Murder Investigation Teams) or pan-London units (e.g. TSG) to deal with matters. BOCUs also rely on centrally based staff e.g. surveillance units to support their pre-planned operations.

4. The Managing Demand Best Value Review (MDBVR) focused on uniform response policing. It did not encompass the work of centrally based support units or pan-London units. The recommendations of the MDBVR seek to transform the way the MPS resolves initial calls for assistance by adopting a policing philosophy that is about ‘getting it right first time’. The Operational Support Policing Review will complement this work by focusing on those functions that support BOCUs in delivering policing services to the public.

5. The Operational Support Policing Review will make recommendations that will maximise the contribution of non-BOCU units to the policing needs of Londoners by examining:

• how to achieve the accountability of non-BOCU operational support functions to the communities in which they operate;
• how the roles and responsibilities of non-BOCU operational support functions should be defined;
• how the level of resources allocated to operational support functions is determined; and
• how Level 2 [1] demand can be best satisfied.

6. Full details of the proposed Operational Support Policing Review are provided in the attached PID at Appendix 1.

7. The scope and focus of the Review has been developed as a result of consultation with BOCU Commanders, pan-London Units, the Specialist Crime Directorate and with other stakeholders including the Independent Challenge Panel. In addition the scope has been informed by recommendations arising from HMI and from other key reports e.g. The Report into the death of Damilola Taylor.

8. It is particularly timely, given the period of growth the MPS is currently experiencing, that resources are distributed effectively in order to maximise the benefits to Londoners. Therefore the thematic approach will encompass all operational support functions. Those relating to national responsibilities will not be covered.

9. Further refinements necessary during the course of the Review will be referred to the Project Board for approval.

Project management

10. Richard Sumray is the Lead MPA member for this review. The review will be directed and controlled by a Project Board chaired by Commander Bob Broadhurst and comprising the MPA Lead Member as well as representatives from each of the review’s themes. Membership includes: the staff associations, C3i, Diversity Directorate, Territorial Policing HQ, Consultancy Group, Borough Operational Command Units and the Independent Challenge Panel (ICP). Pan London units and the Specialist Crime Directorate will also be represented.

11. The Independent Challenge Panel, formed to provide critical and independent over view of the Managing Demand Best Value Review, will continue to perform this function. David Weschler, Chief Executive of Croydon Council, has agreed to continue to chair the ICP. An MPA member, Nicholas Long, will also be part of the ICP.

Project timescales and reporting

12. On 21 May 2003 the Project Board reviewed the PID and agreed the Review’s objectives and scope.

13. Substantive work on the review will conclude by 30 September 2003. The final report and improvement plan will then be presented to the Project Board in October 2003.

14. The review will formally conclude on 11 December 2003 with the presentation to the PPR Committee of the final report and improvement plan

C. Equality and diversity implications

1. Ensuring equality for all is of fundamental importance to this review. The implications for ensuring equality will be considered throughout the analysis of each of the themes. This will be achieved through inclusive consultation to identify the views and the needs of the communities that we serve in relation to these themes. Specifically, the review team will draw on recently conducted consultation with groups and organisations representing visible ethnic communities, the elderly, the disabled and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. In addition the review team will also consider gender issues and the needs of young people. Where there are significant gaps in the available data additional consultation will be considered.

2. The Independent Challenge Panel will play a crucial role in critically appraising the consideration of equality. In addition the review team intend to work closely with the MPS Diversity Directorate and the Independent Advisory Groups throughout the review as both a source of advice and scrutiny.

3. As findings emerge and the review formulates recommendations for policy the impact of these will be assessed as to how they affect equality for all. In doing so the review team will ensure that the statutory requirements of the Race Relations Amendment Act are fully met.

D. Financial implications

A ‘staff-budget’ of £170k has been allocated to the Operational Support Policing Service Improvement Review. This was calculated on the basis of five research staff and one administration support member of staff. Details of costs will be included in the Highlight Reports and improvement plans considered by the Project Board.

E. Background papers

• Service Improvement Review papers held by Chief Superintendent David Morgan

F. Contact details

Report author: Chief Superintendent David Morgan

For more information contact:

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

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback