Service improvement review of custody capacity

Report: 6
Date: 12 February 2004
By: Commissioner

Summary

This report outlines the Project Initiation Document (PID) for the Service Improvement Review of Custody Capacity.

A. Recommendations

That the Project Initiation Document (PID) for the Service Improvement Review of Custody Capacity be approved.

B. Supporting information

Background to the review

1. On 9 October 2003 the Planning Performance and Review Committee (PPRC) agreed that a Service Improvement Review (SIR) of cell provision should take place during 2003/4. The decision paper noted that

‘The difficulty of providing adequate cell provision is an issue that has faced the MPS for many years. There is a need to identify future requirements for cells and to examine how the current facilities could be used to best effect. In addition, the current standards for cells would benefit from being reviewed.’

The scope of the review

2. The PID attached at Appendix 1 argues that in order to make effective recommendations for service improvement, the review needs to recognise that cells are at the centre of a system providing custody capacity, which includes supporting facilities such as interview rooms and ICT, police officers and staff working in custody suites, and supporting services including FMEs, cleaning and maintenance. Thus the initial scope of the review includes all factors, which affect either the availability and quality of custody capacity in the MPS, or the future demand for custody capacity.

Project management

3. Nicholas Long is currently the Lead MPA member for this review, which will be controlled by a project board chaired by Commander Bob Broadhurst.

4. The Independent Challenge Panel for the review will be chaired by David Warwick, Chief Executive of the London Borough of Haringey.

Project timescales and reporting

5. The project plan is designed to produce recommendations by the end of March 2004.

C. Equality and diversity implications

1. The review will meet its equality and diversity obligations by consulting widely with representative groups during its initial phase, and by consulting groups affected by any aspects of its improvement plans during later phases. It will also draw on existing initiatives dealing with disabled access to police services, and work closely with the MPS Diversity Directorate, who are represented on the Project Board.

2. The Independent Challenge Panel will also play a role in identifying equality and diversity issues for the review to address.

D. Financial implications

A budget of £142k has been allocated to cover the staffing and support costs of the review team. These costs fall entirely within the 2003/4 budget of the Internal Consultancy Group (DDC2(3)).

E. Background papers

• SIR of Custody Capacity: initial consultation plan

F. Contact details

Report author: David Page, Internal Consultancy Group, MPS.

For more information contact:

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

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