Directorate of Professional Standards Strategic Intelligence Assessment

Report: 10
Date: 6 May 04
By: Commissioner

Summary

The Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) conducts annual Strategic Intelligence Assessments to establish the risks posed by corruption, dishonesty, unethical and unprofessional behaviour to the integrity of its staff and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). The annual assessments are updated at the six-month point.

Members are asked to note that further discussion of the key strategic issues will be taken in the close session of the meeting.

A. Recommendations

That members are invited to note and discuss the content of the presentation and the answers to the questions posed.

B. Supporting information

1. In November 2002 and again in September 2003, the Directorate of Professional Standards conducted a Strategic Intelligence Assessment (SIA) in compliance with the National Intelligence Model. These annual assessments are updated at the six-month point.

2. The MPS SIA feeds directly into the MPS Corporate Assessment and National Strategic Intelligence Assessment on Corruption.

3. Within DPS a Strategic Tasking and Co-ordinating Group operates. This group is chaired by the Deputy Director of DPS and is tasked to review the SIA and; a) set the priorities for operations within DPS and b) to action Preventative work within the MPS.

4. The SIA examined the nature and scale of corruption, dishonesty, and unethical and unprofessional behaviour by MPS staff, and those who would corrupt our staff. As a consequence intelligence gaps and control opportunities for detection and prevention work are identified and actioned.

5. The assessment considers all areas of DPS business and involves Level I, II and III corruption. The sources of information and Intelligence come from the DPS intelligence database, which are fed by all overt and covert activities of DPS; together with management information as it relates to internal investigations, complaints, discipline, civil actions, accident claims, employment tribunals and fairness at work matters.

6. For Level III corruption matters the continuing links with Organised Crime and Criminals continues to be confirmed. The threat of corruption and associated behaviour by MPS staff remains high and this has been exacerbated by the ever-increasing access to information and intelligence by the majority of MPS staff through the burgeoning availability of information technology.

7. The SIA update indicates that individual and the organisational integrity of the MPS remains under significant threat from corruption, dishonesty, and unethical and unprofessional behaviour.

8. The key strategic issues emanating from the March 2004 update are set out below. Inevitably the issues overlap and are inter-related.

• The threat to individual and organisational integrity;
• Information & Intelligence leakage and computer misuse;
• Theft and dishonesty;
• Substance misuse;
• Acts of indecency;
• Professional Standards, unethical and discriminatory behaviour;
• Press leaks;
• Risks in recruitment and vetting; and
• Increasing risks posed by the developing security industry

9. The key strategic issues, will be presented in the closed session by Detective Superintendent Maxime de Brunner. The questions relate to:

• The format for Anti Corruption Case Studies and
• Communicating ‘Right Line’ options.

C. Equality and diversity implications

There are no significant equality or diversity issues arising from the update SIA, although, clearly, work to address the strategic issues will require positive action where appropriate. Diversity implications that have been identified encompass the reallocation of resources into ensuring appropriate standards in respect of diversity amongst recruits. In addition the MPS sponsored Home Office research into disproportionality in selection and vetting is ongoing.

D. Financial implications

Costs for current work is being met within the existing MPS budgets directed by the MPS Professional Standards Strategic Committee, which is chaired by DAC Roberts, Director DPS.

E. Background papers

None.

F. Contact details

Report author: Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stephen Roberts

For more information contact:

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

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