Minutes - draft

Please note these minutes are currently draft and are subject to committee approval.

Minutes of the Professional Standards and Complaints Committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 12 January 2006 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Reshard Auladin (Chair)
• Tony Arbour
• Jenny Jones
• Karim Murji (Deputy Chair)
• Elizabeth Howlett

MPA officers

• David Riddle (Deputy Chief Executive and Clerk)
• Claire Lister (Professional Standards Officer)
• Nick Baker (Head of Committee Services)

MPS officers

• AC Sue Akers
• AC Alan Brown
• Carl Bussey (DPS)

Also present: Deborah Glass (IPCC Commissioner) (items 1-12).

36. Apologies

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies for absence were received from Damian Hockney and Richard Sumray.

37. Declarations of interests from members of the committee

(Agenda item 2)

No declarations of interests were given by members.

38. Minutes

(Agenda item 3)

The Committee received the minutes of the Professional Standards and Complaints Committee meeting held on 10 November 2005 (Part 1).

Resolved – That the minutes of the Professional Standards and Complaints Committee meeting held on 10 November 2005 (Part 1) be agreed and signed as a correct record.

39. Complaints management information

(Agenda item 4)

The Committee received a report that gave data for the 12 months to October 2005, which focused on the key changes or exceptions within the data, as trends are slow to change.

It was reported that there had been a 14% increase in the number of public complaint allegations being recorded over the past 12-monthly average of 400 to 458. This increase is attributed to the inception of the Independent Police Complaints Commission and a number of (418) allegations raised by pro-hunt protesters in 2004.

For the same period, there had been a 5% increase in the number of conduct matter allegations recorded from 80 to 86.

In relation to timeliness, the average number of days to complete a full public complaint investigation remained below the target of 120 days. For the period November 2004 to October 2005, the reduction was 28% (125 days to 90 days). It was reported that the number of days to complete an investigation into conduct matters continued to fall below the 120 days target. The reduction was by 54% from 184 days (November 2004) to 84 days (October 2005. The decision to hold a misconduct hearing and the hearing itself had reduced by 26% 127 days (November 2004) to 94 days (October 2005).

In presenting the complaints management information and with particular reference to the 120-day target for timeliness, it was agreed that this performance indicator should be reviewed at the appropriate time. The MPS proposed that consideration, at the appropriate time, might be given to a month-on-month reduction target.

Members welcomed the new presentation format of the complaints information. Following discussion on public complaint data relating to groups of BOCUs, members suggested that this information would benefit if further supporting explanatory information was provided. This could prove beneficial to both members, on a scrutiny basis, and to borough commanders when they are provided with the same data.

Resolved – That members note the report and the illustration of trends in Appendix 1 relating to complaints and the revisions made to the report particularly in respect of borough performance;

40. Cambridge University research into disproportionality

(Agenda item 5)

Members received a report and an oral update from Dr Matravers, from the Institute of Criminology at Cambridge University, on the next steps in the research into disproportionality.

Dr Matravers reported to members on work already undertaken as part of the research in to disproportionality and outlined the process for consultation and details of groups already engaged in that process. She also gave details of future focus groups, including meeting with white first line officers.

Dr Matravers indicated areas that required future consideration as part of the research. These included; black and ethnic officers being subjected to internal investigations and white officers electing initially not try to resolve issues informally; the lack of recording of informal discussions and the apparent; limited support of black and ethnic officers in training or seeking qualifications.

Members welcomed the progress report from Dr Matravers. In doing so, they requested confirmation of the completion date of the research and when the final report could be expected. Confirmation was given that the final report should be available in mid-March.

Members were assured that the information obtained as part of the research process could be substantiated.

In response to members about the final costs of the research, Dr Matravers confirmed that the costs to completion would be within the £50,000 budgeted for the process.

Resolved – That the report be received.

41. Update on the programme for the fundamental review of the Directorate of Professional Standards

(Agenda item 6)

A report was received that provided members with an update on progress that had been made to the review of the MPS’ Directorate of Professional Standards.

The report outlined details of command team meetings; summarised issues examined by the project board and outlined the future engagements with internal and external stakeholders.

Members highlighted the need for the Review to take account of other ongoing initiatives such as the ‘Together Programme’. It was also suggested that the review should look at other professional bodies complaints procedures/systems and reiterated the importance of the inclusion of a representative for these bodies on the Challenge Panel.

The MPS confirmed that the review would take account of other ongoing initiatives as part of the Review and that efforts had been made for inclusion of representative’s of other professional bodies, with some degree of success.

In response to members requests that the consultation of the Review engage with police staff and with local communities, the MPS confirmed that union representation existed on the challenge panel and that focus groups with police staff would be undertaken. Confirmation was also given that an equality impact assessment would be undertaken for the proposed ‘reception desk’ to ensure that the process was working correctly and accounting for issues around disproportionality.

It was noted that the Review was scheduled to be implemented in April 2006.

Resolved – That approval be given to the proposals and timescales for continuing to develop and implementation of the new structures and practices that are recommend by the review.

42. Dip sampling and case management information

(Agenda item 7)

Following a report to the Committee on 10 November 2005, which informed members of the work undertaken in relation to dip sampling of closed complaints files, Members received a report on work that had been undertaken subsequent to that meeting.

Confirmation was given that, following the MPA’s initial complaints file review, the MPS taken on board comments raised in relation to a particular complaint, including that the complaint should have been recorded and referred to the IPCC. The MPS also confirmed that issues raised by this complaint had already been used as a learning point, with informed discussions having taken place at internal investigations command SMT meetings and an update to the Misconduct Investigation Guide.

Members were provided with details of other reviewed closed complaints case files and it was noted that a report to the next meeting of the Committee would provide feedback on these cases. The report also outlined a number of identified issues in shortcomings in MPS complaints handling process, which had also been referred to the MPS.

The report outlined future arrangements for the provision of reviewing closed public complaints files. With the exception, of the an MPS DPS officer conducting a preliminary file review of those cases selected, the arrangements were agreed.

It was noted that the IPCC had agreed to provide training to MPA officers and members involved in dip sampling of cases.

Resolved – That

1. the further work that has been undertaken in relation to the review of closed public complaints files be noted; and
2. invite MPS DPS to submit a comprehensive report which identifies the follow-up work and remedial action that has been undertaken in response to feedback provided by the MPA on individual closed public complaints files.

43. Case Management Model update

(Agenda item 8)

Following recommendations made by the Morris Inquiry and approval by members of the case management protocol, the Committee received a report which updated members on the preliminary work that has been undertaken to scrutinise a selection of cases which fell within the ‘over 120 days old’ profile.

To enable the MPA to fulfil its monitoring role, the MPS had supplied details of all current investigations over the 120 days old profile. Subsequent information on 13 live investigations had been sought by the MPA and the MPS had responded indicating that these cases were in reality closed cases. In providing this information, the MPS DPS acknowledged that there were flaws in the accuracy of the case management data and the report informed members of proposed remedial action.

The report also outlined how the MPA would be taking forward future investigations.

Resolved – That the report and initial findings be received.

44. Outcomes and actions arising from the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board meeting on 6 October 2005

(Agenda item 9a and item 9b)

The Committee received a report from MPA officers and the MPS on the key debates and emerging themes from the EODB meeting on 6 October and that highlighted the major equality and diversity challenges related to professional standards within the MPS.

In receiving the report of the Chief Executive and Clerk, the Committee supported the need for a race and equality impact to be undertaken as part of the review process and that the Review encompass the outcomes of recent reviews, inquiries and reports

It was agreed that further data collection on all equality and diversity stands should be obtained.

The Commissioner’s report received by the Committee set out the progress on the matters raised in the MPA report, which reviewed the MPS response to the outcomes and actions arising from the EODB meeting on 6 October 2005.

Resolved – That the issues raised in the MPA review of the implementation of the recommendations arising from Morris, Taylor, CRE and Ghaffur reports be noted and that future reports on the implementation of the DPS fundamental review should take these into account.

45. Drink Drive Convictions

(Agenda item 10)

Members received a report that summarised disciplinary cases involving drink drive convictions of officers between 1 March 2005 and 16 December 2005. The report also gave more detailed information requested by the Committee, on two recent Assistant Commissioner Review decisions.

The Chair of the Committee requested that Assistant Commissioners be invited to future Committee meetings to discuss consistency in sanctions.

Resolved – That Assistant Commissioners be invited to future Committee meetings to discuss consistency in sanctions

46. Details of ex-gratia payment

(Agenda item 15)

The Chair proposed and it was seconded and agreed that agenda item 15, should be discussed in Part 1 on the meeting.

Members received a report, which provided details of an ex-gratia payment to the family of Jean Charles De Menezes towards the funeral costs and repatriation of Jean Charles De Menezes to Brazil and flights for his family to the UK.

Resolved – That

1. the report be considered in Part 1 (open session) of the meeting; and
2. the report be noted.

47. Exclusion of press and public

(Agenda item 11)

A resolution was put to exclude the press and public from the meeting during remaining items on the agenda as it was likely to disclose exempt information as described in Schedule 12(a) (1 and 14) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Resolved - That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the remaining items on the agenda.

Summary of exempt items

48. Summary of suspended officers

(Agenda item 12)

The Committee considered a report that summarised details relating to suspended officers.

49. Directorate of Professional Standards – Strategic Impact Assessment

(Agenda item 13)

A report was received that gave an overview of the Strategic Impact Assessment.

50. Summary of exceptional and significant case results

(Agenda item 14)

A report was received that summarised exceptional and significant results.

51. Application for funding for legal representation

(Agenda item 16)

Consideration was given to a report that sought funding for legal representation.

52. Minutes (Part 2)

(Agenda item 17)

Members received the minutes (Part 2) of the Committee meeting held on 10 November 2005.

The Committee closed at 4.50 pm

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