Minutes

Minutes of the Professional Standards and Complaints Committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 9 March 2006 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Reshard Auladin (Chair)
• Tony Arbour
• Jenny Jones
• Karim Murji (Deputy Chair)
• Richard Sumray

MPA officers

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

MPS officers

• AC Alan Brown
• Commander Sue Akers
• Andy Campbell
• Steve Gwilliam (DPS)

Also present: Deborah Glass (IPCC Commissioner) (items 1-11).

53. Apologies

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies for absence were received from Damian Hockney, Elizabeth Howlett and Carl Bussey (MPS).

54. Declarations of interests from members of the committee

(Agenda item 2)

No declarations of interests were given by members.

55. Minutes

(Agenda item 3)

The Committee received the minutes of the Professional Standards and Complaints Committee meeting held on 12 January 2006 (Part 1) and noted the minutes of the Senior Officer Conduct Sub-Committee (Part 2), held on 9 February 2006

In relation to minute 40 ‘Cambridge University Research into Disproportionality’, it was noted that the report from the Institute of Criminology at Cambridge University should be available later in March. However, members were informed that Dr Matravers was currently out of the country and discussions were on going about a suitable date when her final findings could be presented to the Committee.

Resolved – That the minutes of the Professional Standards and Complaints Committee meeting held on 12 January 2006 (Part 1) be agreed and signed as a correct record, and noted the minutes of the Senior Officer Conduct Sub-Committee (Part 2), held on 9 February 2006.

57. Complaints management information

(Agenda item 4)

A report was received that gave data for the 12 months to February 2006, 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 12% increase in the number of public complaint allegations recorded over the past 12-monthly average of 430 to 476. The increase was attributed to the inception of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and the number of (418) allegations raised by pro-hunt protesters in 2005. In presenting theses figures, the MPS confirmed that a further rise was expected following the recent demonstrations against the cartoons of the prophet Mohammed.

For the same period, there had been a 5% increase in the number of conduct matter allegations recorded from 79 to 84.

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 February 2005 to January 2006, the reduction was 34%. 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 47% from 148 days (February 2005) to 79 days (January 2006). There was a 20%, from 119 days in February 2005 to 95 days in January 2006 in relation to the decision to hold a misconduct hearing or final disposal.

A discussion took place on the reduction of 120-day performance target on timeliness relating to public complaints. It was agreed that a reduction was required and that the MPS, in discussion with the MPA and IPCC, produce options for a suitable new target. In doing so, it was suggested that any new target should be set after having regard to appeal rates data.

Following discussion on conduct matters, MPS agreed to present to a future meeting of the Committee, a report which provided the outcomes of the Internal Investigations SE Unit, where early intervention into conduct matters had been piloted.

Members sought further information regarding external partners and in particular the CPS decision making process and specialist investigation work. Deborah Glass, from the IPCC, confirmed that the CPS had established a new division to deal with specialist intervention work and it was anticipated that this new division would be better placed to improve concerns of timeliness of investigations.

In receiving the Territorial Police Performance information, members noted the public complaints allegations per 100 officers by type information for February 2005 to January 2006. In doing so, comment was made on the positive data relating to Hackney. It was noted that the MPS would assess this data, to understand what lessons could be learned by other OCU’s.. The MPS agreed to report these findings to a future meeting of the Committee and in addition, would also provide details on the seemingly low number of stop and search complaints in Tower Hamlets.

Confirmation was provided that the Territorial Police performance information was shared with borough commanders; however, there was an acknowledgement that there was a need for DPS to enhance greater ownership of it and measures would be undertaken to ensure that this happens.

Resolved – That

1. members note the report and the illustration of trends in the report and the borough performance information contained in Appendices 1 and of the report;
2. following discussion between the MPS/MPA, a proposal on a new performance target on timeliness relating to public complaints be presented to the Committee for consideration;
3. the Committee receive a report on the outcomes of the pilot on early intervention into conduct matters; and
4. following assessment of information, members receive details relating to the positive territorial police performance information for Hackney and limited stop and search complaints in Tower Hamlets.

58. Independent Police Complaints Commission referrals and appeals data

(Agenda item 5)

Members received a report from the IPCC, which proved details of IPCC data on appeals, referrals, dispensations and discontinuances for a number of police services, including the MPS.

Members highlighted the seemingly high number of appeals against non-recorded complaints. It was noted that the high figures in this category, were due to a misunderstanding by many police services of what and when a complaint should be recorded and this had resulted in the seemingly high number of appeals. This was a national trend and the IPCC were attempting to remind polices services when and what complaints should be record.

It was agreed that further discussion between the MPS and the IPCC need to be undertaken regarding financial issues and investigation of complaints.

Resolved – That the report be received.

59. Response to HMIC thematic inspection of MPS Professional Standards

(Agenda item 6)

Following an HMIC thematic inspection of the MPS Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS), the Committee received a report on how the recommendations from that inspection were being incorporated into the DPS Review and MPS Service Review. The report also outlined how DPS would monitor progress and position of those recommendations.

Members welcomed the report and noted those areas of the Directorate that had been received positive feedback from the inspection. The Committee also welcomed the action plan that had been devised in order to address the recommendations highlighted in the inspection report.

In doing so, it was agreed that the Committee receive a report in six months that provided members with progress on addressing those recommendations.

Resolved – That

1. the report be received; and
2. a progress report on the recommendations of the inspection report be presented to the Committee in six months (October meeting).

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

(Agenda item 7)

Following on from previous reports to the Committee, members considered a report that set out the protocols and proposals for the implementation of the DPS Review Implementation Programme with effect from 1 April 206 to 30 November 2006.

The report provided members with details of individual projects and key activities, including resource implications, risks, project progress and emerging issues. Members noted that the DPS Review Project Board would undertake the monitoring of the programme.

In receiving the report members agreed that it would be useful to see the programme in operation.

Resolved – That

1. that proposals and timescale for developing and implementing the new structures and practices, as agreed by the DPS Review Project Board be noted; and
2. the new phase of moving from concept to implementation be noted.

61. Development of the new MPS Professional Standards Strategy

(Agenda item 8)

Members received a report that informed them of the review of the MPS Professional Standards Strategy.

The review of the Strategy it was noted would be taking account of the MPS Modernisation Programme, the Morris, Taylor, CRE and Ghaffur report recommendations, as well as the fundamental review of DPS, the HMIC thematic inspection and the DPS strategic intelligence assessment. The format and consultation arrangements would also be consistent with the MPS Modernisation Programme requirements.

Members, in noting the Strategy, welcomed the format and consultation arrangements undertaken in its development. In relation to strategic priority three, members suggested that there was a need for the inclusion of reference to ‘prevention’. It was also suggested that a review of the wording also include ‘rigorous’ and ‘determined’ in relation to enforcement.

Resolved – That the draft MPS Professional Standards Strategy, subject to members comments, be noted.

62. MPA dip sampling of public complaints

(Agenda item 9)

As part of the role and responsibility of the Committee, a report was considered that summarised the MPS response to the MPA dip samplings of closed complaint files.

Regarding the report and the response to the MPA comments on closed complaint files and the process for considering this issue, the MPS provided members with an action plan that would address the issue raised.

Members welcomed this evidence that the dip sampling process was becoming an effective oversight mechanism, and that the MPS response was positive.

Resolved – That the results of the MPA dip sampling of closed complaints and the MPS response be noted.

63. Review of suspension and restriction - Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

(Agenda item 10)

Members reported that MPS Directorate of Professional Standards had conducted a further review of the Suspension and Restrictions Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

The review identified areas that required further consideration, which had now been addressed and an opportunity to address terminology used to describe the status of officers under investigation. The IPCC representative confirmed that the IPCC had been consulted, and she raised no objection to the SOP.

A copy of the revised SOP was now presented to the Committee for consideration.

Resolved – That members note the revised MPS restrictions and suspensions policy.

64. Assistant Commissioners reviews of decisions

(Agenda item 11)

At the January meeting of the Committee, concern was raised at the variation of findings or sanctions arising out of Assistant Commissioners (AC) reviews. As part of the response to members concern, a report was received that outlined details of a training session provided to Assistant Commissioners on this matter.

Confirmation was given that those ACs that did not attend the training would receive one-to -one training.

In response to questions, confirmation was given that MPS new recruits would be reminded that a drink/drive charge would lead to dismissal, as would a conviction for domestic violence.

It was also noted that following the training, guidelines on reviews of sanctions would be established and that this would be shared with members at a future meeting of the Committee.

Resolved – That the Committee receive the draft guidelines on AC sanctions for consideration.

65. Exclusion of press and public

(Agenda item 12)

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

66. Summary of suspended officers

(Agenda item 13)

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

67. Application for funding for legal representation

(Agenda item 14)

A report was received that sought members consideration of an application for funding for legal representation.

68. Minutes (Part 2)

(Agenda item 15)

The Committee received the minutes of the Professional Standards and Complaints Committee meeting held on 12 January 2006 (Part 2).

This meeting finished 4.10 pm

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