Annual report 2002/03

Report: 9
Date: 16 June 2003
By: Clerk

Summary

The full Authority has agreed that each committee should produce an annual report on its activities to provide a summary of the key issues that have been discussed and upon which decisions have been made. The full Authority will consider the final annual report of each Committee on 24 July 2003.

A. Recommendation

That the Committee’s annual report be agreed and referred to the full Authority.

B. Supporting information

Background

1. The Professional Standards and Complaints Committee (PSCC) has continued to carry out its responsibilities in accordance with both its terms of reference, attached at Appendix 1, and incorporating its statutory responsibilities. The Committee met five times during the year and has overseen the work of both the Association of Chief Police Officer (ACPO) Conduct Sub-Committee and the Police Appeal Tribunal process.

Complaints management information

2. The PSCC considers a report at every meeting outlining the performance of the Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) against an agreed set of performance measures including trends covering all areas of activity. Members have been pleased to note that the reduction in the number of internal investigations and complaints over 120 says old. There were also encouraging reductions in other areas, e.g. of officers suspended, the time taken for CPS/PCA decisions, the number of public complaints etc.

Timeliness of complaints

3. Linked to the issue of meeting the 120-day performance set by the Home Office, a regular report was considered by the Committee looking in detail at the time taken at each step of the procedure. There was a recognition that issues such as complexity and bureaucracy, and quality versus quantity would invariably have an impact on this

Oversight of police complaints and discipline

4. Members agreed a process for carrying out their statutory responsibility to monitor police complaints. This will involve the Clerk selecting up to 12 closed cases and providing the files for member’s consideration at least seven days before each meeting. Members would have the opportunity to ask questions at that meeting about the cases they had received and formal responses would be provided at the following meeting.

Compensation cases/employment tribunal grievances

5. PSCC received regular reports on the settlement of cases by the Commissioner, including details of cases where a decision may need to be made by the Authority to settle a claim for compensation. There were also reports on the current position with Employment Tribunals and grievance cases, high profile inquests and other significant/exceptional cases, including trends.

Reducing complaints and strengthening integrity

6. Members considered progress reports on plans to reduce complaints and strengthen integrity both through the actions of DPS and arising out of the best value review of complaints and Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary recommendations (which were all implemented).

Reporting wrongdoing

7. PSCC considered a report on the operation of the reporting wrongdoing procedure, which was based on the Public Interest Disclosure Act. The report included the statutory framework, a brief explanation of the process in the MPS (including the support provided to staff invoking the procedure), management information and some proposals for change. A number of examples helped members put the process into context.

Learning lab

8. The PCA, CPS and MPS had formed a learning lab to review the process arising form complaints, identify and making recommendations on providing a better service to complainants and police officers and consulting on the recommendations. Members considered a report outlining what the review had identified, what had been explained and the future for the Learning Lab, including continued police authority involvement. Amongst the potions considered was the use of restrictive justice.

Anti-corruption activities

9. Members received a report on the anti-corruption activities of the Internal Investigation Branch (IIB). There was recognition that these cases needed sensitive handling both in terms of organisational learning and public confidence expectations. The media strategy in each case was very important.

Sanction guidelines

10. Members considered and commented upon the sanction guidelines to be used wherever an officer has been found to fail to meet the appropriate standard of conduct such that the matter has been found to be proven. It was recognised that where a given aspect of proved conduct could be viewed against the criteria, it remained a matter for members of the disciplinary hearing to decide upon the appropriate sanction in the light of any aggravating or mitigating circumstances.

Service confidence procedure

11. The service confidence procedure was used when, for example, source sensitive information indicated a police officer may be compromised in his or her current role but it was not possible to proceed with disciplinary or criminal proceedings. Members considered a report that provided the background, rationale and management information on the procedure. It was considered a very successful tool in dealing with a difficult issue.

Professional Standards Strategy

12. At each meeting members considered a report on a different strand of the Professional Standards Strategy, including the work plan and timescales. The work for the next five years will be organised under five new strands of activity:

• Leadership and supervision
• Security of information and intelligence
• Recognition of the diversity of our communities and staff
• Identifying and reacting to organisational and individual learning
• Maintaining the threat of detection, prevention and management of risk

13. Members were conscious that the overwhelming majority of staff were honest, professional and brave, but recognised that there are still a few police officers and support staff that are involved in corrupt, dishonest or unethical behaviour. There was also a continuing threat from those who seek to corrupt our colleagues.

C. Equality and diversity implications

This is intended as a factual report on the work of the PSCC, although it does reflect some of the equality and diversity aspects of the work of this Committee.

D. Financial implications

None

E. Background papers

None.

F. Contact details

Report author: Alan Johnson, MPA.

For more information contact:

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

Appendix 1

Professional Standards and Complaints Committee – Terms of reference

1. To satisfy the Authority’s statutory duty to monitor MPS complaints procedures.

2. To consider high profile and sensitive cases in line with the MPA/MPS protocol. Where a claim for compensation has been made, the Committee will

1. receive a quarterly information report on compensation cases settled by the Commissioner
2. consider, for recommendation to the Authority, those cases which require a decision by the Authority to settle a claim for compensation. (However, where a decision cannot wait for the next meeting of the Committee, a report proposing settlement will be put direct to the full Authority).

3. To keep the strategies of the MPS Directorate of Professional Standards under review.

4. To exercise the Authority’s responsibilities in respect of reports, allegations or complaints against ACPO rank police officers, in accordance with the appropriate regulations.

5. To consider any matters relating to Police Appeal Tribunals and to arrange for the appointment of Authority Members to serve on Tribunals as and when required.

6. To have due regard, in exercising the committee’s responsibilities, to equal opportunities generally, the general duty of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and the requirements of any other equalities legislation.

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