MPS professional standards strategy - progress on strand 1

Report: 6
Date: 28 April 2003
By: Commissioner

Summary

The MPS Professional Standards Strategy is a re-launched and re-focused MPS Corruption and Dishonesty Strategy. It has been produced following consultation within the MPS and with members of the Professional Standards and Complaints Committee (PSCC) of the MPA.

The new strategy was launched in August 2002. Work on delivering the strategy has commenced.

This is a report on the progress relating to Strand 1, namely Leadership, Supervision and Standards Adherence.

A. Recommendation

That the Committee notes the content of the report describing the progress on Strand 1 of the MPS Professional Standards Strategy – Leadership, Supervision and Standards Adherence.

B. Supporting information

1. In 1998 the Metropolitan Police Service launched the Corruption and Dishonesty Prevention Strategy, which aimed to ‘engender pride and trust in the integrity of the Metropolitan Police Service by preventing and detecting corruption, dishonesty and unethical behaviour'.

2. The Professional Standards Strategy is the new five-year strategy, which will see a significant shift of emphasis. The MPS will direct greater effort towards prevention and reducing the risks to our staff and the community. In short there will be a greater balance between prevention and detection, whilst at the same time maintaining the threat or fear of detection.

3. The work for the next five years will be organised under five new strands of activity:

1. Leadership and supervision.
2. Security of information and intelligence.
3. Recognition of the diversity of our communities and staff.
4. Identifying and reacting to organisational and individual learning.
5. Maintaining the threat of detection, prevention and management of risk.

4. Each strand has its own prioritised work plan and timescale.

5. Context of the strategy:

• This re-launched and re-focused Strategy is a high level statement of intention which supports the MPS Mission, Vision and Values; and the MPS 5 Year Corporate Plan - 'The Safest City', with particular reference to the organisational improvement goals.
• The MPS acknowledge that the vast majority of our staff are honest, professional and brave.
• The strategy will focus activity over the next 5 years.
• It will be underpinned by more detailed specific work plans developed by the strand leads and their working groups. MPS priorities will be reflected therein.
• It is a dynamic document, the progress of which will be reported quarterly to the MPS Professional Standards Strategic Committee, and onward to the MPA Professional Standards and Complaints Committee.

6. It has been agreed that the progress on individual stands will be presented to the Committee at separate meetings throughout the year.

7. The progress on Strand 5 - Maintaining the threat of detection, prevention and management of risk, was reported at the meeting on 19 December.

8. Strand 1 progress will be presented by way of a power point presentation by Commander Broadhurst, of Territorial Policing and Strand Lead.

The overarching purpose of the Strand is. 'To help leaders to identify, challenge and prevent unprofessional behaviour and to manage the risks inherent within such behaviour.’

The expected outcome is -'The MPS has enlightened and inspirational leaders who are highly visible and accessible, and who energise people to achieve excellent results.'

9. The presentation will be focussed around the aims namely :

• Aim 1 - Continue support for the implementation of the MPS Leadership Principles and Supervision Model;
• Aim 2 - Develop a practical guide to assist supervisors assess and manage key risks to them, their staff and the MPS; and
• Aim 3 - Review and re-launch the MPS Reporting Wrongdoing Policy.
• Aim 4 - Identify and provide appropriate support for supervisors and leaders

10. Aim 1 is currently rolling out and is a medium priority to be completed later this year.  Aim 2 is ongoing and is dependent on Strand 5 completing work as identifying risks.  Aim 3 is a high priority and a draft of the reviewed policy will be available for consultation in late February 2003.  Aim 4 will be absorbed in Aim 1.

C. Equality and diversity implications

The proposals will have a positive impact on equality and diversity issues within the Metropolitan Police Service. It will simplify access to the ‘Reporting of Wrongdoing’ process to all staff and will offer greater support to those that do so.

D. Financial implications

Costs will be met within existing MPS budgets directed by the MPS Professional Standards Strategic Committee, which is currently chaired by Cmdr Hagon of the Directorate of Professional Standards.

E. Background papers

• PSPM Report 12 of 14 February 2002, Professional Standards Strategy.
• PSPM Report 13 of 13 June 2002, Professional Standards Strategy.
• PSCC Report 7 of 19 December 2002, Professional Standards Strategy.

F. Contact details

Report author: Commander Broadhurst, MPS.

For more information contact:

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

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