Case management protocol update

Report: 10
Date: 13 July 2006
By: Chief Executive and Clerk

Summary

The purpose of the report is to provide Members with a brief update on the application of the Case Management Protocol, in particular, to explain the outcome of the work that has been undertaken to scrutinise a further selection of cases, which fall within the “120 days old” age profile.

The Protocol applies to “live” investigations undertaken by the Directorate of Professional Standards (‘DPS’) into complaints or other allegations of misconduct against police officers. Its purpose is to enable the MPA’s Professional Standards and Complaints Committee to scrutinise cases, which have exceeded the target time frame for completion and to place a requirement on DPS to justify time taken to conduct an investigation and, if appropriate, to give reasons for the need for a continued investigation.

A. Recommendations

That the report be noted.

B. Supporting information

1. Following on from the remedial action, which DPS agreed to undertake, to ensure the reliability of its case management data, the MPA has identified a further eight “live” overt complaints investigations, which were showing on IOWA [1] as being a minimum of 120 days old. Cases were selected from the following DPS Commands, North West and North East Region, South East and Specialist Investigations.

2. A request for further information in respect of these investigations was submitted to the Directorate of Professional Standards and responses have recently been received.

DPS response to request for information

3. DPS have conducted an initial review of the eight cases with a view to completing the Case Review Statement for each of the selected cases.

4. In respect of six of the cases, the MPA was provided with a summary of the current status of the investigations. For each case, the investigation was described as completed. Four of the cases were described as “awaiting quality control and finalisation”. One of the cases, which had an age profile of 155 days was described as “awaiting the administration of sanction (words of advice) by SMT” and one further case, with an age profile of 318 days, was identified as being with Discipline Support “awaiting determination of sanction”.

5. DPS submitted completed Case Review Statements for two of the cases. Again the investigations were described as complete. In one of these cases (refer to Case Review Statement at Appendix 1), the Investigation Officer’s report was completed and submitted in May 2006.

6. In the second case, involving an investigation into allegations of theft of property and tampering with exhibits, the investigation is also described as being completed. Both officers who were under investigation have now resigned from the MPS, however, further minor disciplinary breaches relating to the acts of one other officer and members of police staff have been undertaken. Regulation 9 notices are awaiting service.

Follow-up action

7. It was a recommendation of the Morris Inquiry that implementation of the Case Management Model would enable the MPA to review on-going complaints investigations and to continue the scrutiny on a monthly basis until the investigation is completed. On this occasion, there is no requirement for Members to continue its oversight of any of the eight selected cases. This is on the basis that the investigations having been completed and therefore fall outside of the protocol.

8. A further selection of cases will however be identified and a request for information in respect of current cases which are the subject of live investigations will be submitted to DPS by the end of July 2006. Details of DPS’ responses will initially be shared with the PSCC Chair, Deputy Chair presented to Members at the next PSCC meeting.

9. Whilst the Case Management Protocol involves details of individual cases being provided to the MPA, the Morris Inquiry team considered that independent oversight was essential to help restore confidence, both internally and externally, in the complaints investigation process. The MPA will however continue to evaluate the benefits derived from the operation of this protocol.

C. Race and equality impact

1. The purpose of the Protocol is to ensure that individuals who are the subject of DPS investigations are treated in an equitable and proportionate matter. The Protocol reflects a recommendation of the Morris Inquiry.

2. An initial Race Equalities Impact Assessment has been conducted to ensure that the Protocol promotes equalities and does not disadvantage any of the equality target groups. Although that assessment is still awaiting formal endorsement, the results have established that a high adverse/negative impact does not exist for any equality group.

D. Financial implications

In order to limit the overall cost of introducing and administering the procedure, the Case Management Protocol needs have been built around the MPS’s existing management information. Although the new arrangement increases the time spent by Members and MPA officers in undertaking their oversight role, the cost of administering the procedure is capable of being met from the existing budget.

E. Background papers

None.

F. Contact details

Report author(s): Claire L Lister, MPA.

For more information contact:

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

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