Service improvement review of operational support policing: final report and improvement plan

Report: 6
Date: 11 December 2003
By: Commissioner

Summary

This report sets out the improvement plan as recommended by the Project Board from the final report of the Operational Support Policing Service Improvement Review (OSPSIR) October 2003. It outlines financial implications and key actions to implement the recommendations to achieve the realisation of intended benefits. Members are invited to endorse the final report and improvement plan and approve the arrangements for implementation.

A. Recommendations

That

1. the final report as given at Appendix 1 be endorsed;
2. the recommendations and improvements plan as set out in Appendix 2 be approved; and
3. an update of progress towards the improvement plan be received every six months.

B. Supporting information

Background to report

1. The OSPSIR formally commenced following approval of the Project Initiation Document by the MPA Planning, Performance and Review Committee on 8 May 2003. The accompanying report and improvement plan is the culmination of the work of the review.

2. This OSPSIR followed on from the Managing Demand Best Value Review that sought to improve the MPS response to demands from members of the public. It made recommendations about accessibility; incident management; and shaping expectations. The OSPSIR has focused on the functions that support the delivery of policing services to the public by BOCUs. It is particularly appropriate when additional responsibilities are being given to boroughs to check that they are being provided with the right level of operational support to help them to achieve the strategic aims of the MPS.

Principal benefits

3. The recommendations resulting from this review are intended to ensure continuous improvement in the management of operational support by the MPS having regard to economy, efficiency and effectiveness. The key benefits anticipated are:

• Enhanced quality of MPS services to Londoners through improved efficiency of operational policing support functions;
• Increased public confidence by improving accountability of operational policing support functions;
• Enhanced MPS performance by clearly defining the contributions of operational policing support functions;
• Increased public satisfaction by improving MPS response to Level 2 (cross BOCU border) issues.

Arrangements for implementation

4. The implementation of the identified improvements will be the responsibility of Territorial Policing (TP). However, several of the proposed improvements will be the specific responsibility of other directorates e.g. DCC2, HRD and SCD. A programme management framework will therefore be implemented to ensure oversight, coordination and delivery of the Review’s recommendations.

5. A full implementation plan will be produced after the Review’s recommendations have been considered by the MPA.

6. Attached at Appendix 1 is the management summary from the final report and improvement plans that identify anticipated benefits, costs and savings. It also outlines targets for each recommendation in improved performance measures, together with proposed timescales.

7. At Appendix 3 is the full report (copies have been circulated to members – further copies available on the MPA website and on request).

8. It should be noted that MPS Management Board expressed some reservation about Recommendation 10. Whilst Management Board supported this recommendation in principle, it wanted to explore further how the recommendation would affect budgeted workforce targets (BWTs). Further Management Board discussion will need to take place before it is progressed.

C. Equality and diversity implications

1. Ensuring equality for all, and its implications, was of fundamental importance to this review. The implications for ensuring equality were considered throughout the analysis of each of the four themes.

2. This was achieved through inclusive consultation to identify the views and the needs of the communities served by the MPS. Questionnaires were distributed to Community Police Consultative Groups (CPCGs), MPS-wide and local Independent Advisory Groups and Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships. Over 110 questionnaires were returned representing a return rate of over 33%. The questionnaire was also published on the MPS Internet site for any member of the public to provide comment.

3. The Independent Challenge Panel played a crucial role in critically appraising the review team’s consideration of equality. In addition the review team worked closely with the MPS Diversity Directorate, who were represented on the Project Board, as a source of advice and scrutiny.

4. As findings and recommendations emerged, the impact of these was assessed as to how they affected equality for all. In doing so the review team ensured that the statutory requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 were fully met. The Commission for Racial Equality, Greater London Action for the Disabled (GLAD) and GALOP (the lesbian gay and bisexual community safety charity) examined the review’s findings and recommendations. Staff support associations were also consulted.

D. Financial implications

The financial implications of the review’s recommendations are summarised at Appendix C to the full final report, and presented in more detail as part of the Improvement Plans included in Appendix 2.

E. Background papers

• All SIR papers held by Chief Superintendent David Morgan

F. Contact details

Report author: Commander Bob Broadhurst, MPS.

For more information contact:

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

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