MPA dip sampling of public complaints

Report: 10
Date: 14 December 2006
By: Chief Executive and Clerk

Summary

At the last PSCC meeting, Members received a report on behalf of the Chief Executive which specified that the outcome of the MPA’s review of a further selection of complaints files would be completed and a report detailing the MPA’s findings would be presented at the PSCC meeting on 14 December 2006. The purpose of the report is to provide a brief update in respect of work undertaken by the MPA’s Professional Standards Officer since the date of the last Committee meeting on 12 October 2006.

A. Recommendations

That

1. members note the report and agree to receive a report at the next Professional Standards and Complaints Committee (PSCC) meeting detailing the outcome of the MPA’s review of a further selection of public complaints files; and
2. the progress that has been made in respect of the local resolution project, which is being undertaken in partnership with the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), and agree to receive a further progress report at the next PSCC meeting.

B. Supporting information

Background

1. Since the date of the last PSCC meeting, the MPA’s Professional Standards Officer has met with Members of the Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) Independent Review Team (IRT). The purpose of that meeting was to discuss the future operation of the dip sampling protocol and review the position concerning the provision of a number of outstanding closed complaints files.

2. At that meeting, IRT confirmed that all files, that had previously been reported as not located due to archiving problems, had now been retrieved. The MPA’s Professional Standards Officer is currently reviewing the totality of files received to date from the MPS and will liaise with IRT regarding all outstanding matters. In the background, the MPA’s Professional Standards Officer has conducted a review of a number of closed complaints files. The details of those reviews have yet to be discussed with the MPA Officer led dip sampling team. Feedback will then be provided to DPS IRT for the furtherance of organisational learning. Therefore, at the time of preparing this report the outcome of the latest dip sampling exercise is extant.

3. Some of the preliminary findings, yet to be shared with DPS, include the following:

• Inappropriate classification of a complaint which included allegations of “rudeness”, “unfair comments” and “oppressive behaviour” as a matter of direction and control;
• Inappropriately defining a complaint regarding the failure to make application for a summons within the prescribed time limit, which resulted in the case being dismissed as a matter of direction and control;
• Failure to investigate allegations of mistreatment upon arrest, including allegations of a failure to advise of rights, incivility and handcuffing causing injury, on the grounds that officers were acting lawfully as the complainant fitted the description of a suspect for an armed robbery;
• Poor file management: irrespective of put away checks having been completed, confidential information relating to a murder investigation was found to be attached to a complaints file relating to an unassociated public complaint concerning officer “rudeness” and “abusive behaviour”; and
• Failure to properly apply the Local Resolution procedures.

4. A MPA report including a DPS response to the agreed findings of the MPA Officer dip sampling team will be presented at the next PSCC meeting in February 2007.

Update on the progress of MPA involvement in the IPCC Local Resolution Project

5. A progress report, for the period October to December 2006, detailing actions taken by the MPA Professional Standards Officer in consultation with IPCC, DPS and Kings College London has been separately circulated to PSCC Members.

6. In summary, the MPA is now in a position to participate in the project by identifying for review a selection of closed complaints files that have been locally resolved within the Borough of Brent during the period November 2005 to October 2006.

7. The MPA’s Professional Standards Officer, in consultation with the MPA’s Planning and Performance Unit, IPCC and Kings College London, is currently drafting a research proposal.

8. Tiggey May, research analyst at Kings College London (KCL), has provided the MPA and IPCC with questionnaires as structured and piloted as part of KCL’s research into the application of the informal/local resolution procedures. The MPA is adapting the questionnaires and proposes to send these to individual complainants and officers who have participated in the local resolution of complaints. It is anticipated that this activity will commence in February 2007 and all participants will be invited to submit their responses to the MPA within a 28 days period.

9. Members should note that the KCL research team have indicated that the response rate would be improved if members of the public, who agree to participate in the project, were remunerated for completion of the questionnaire. A payment of £20 was suggested.

10. Upon receipt of the completed questionnaires, it is proposed that the research analyst within the MPA’s Planning and Performance team will collate and conduct a qualitative analysis of the survey data. The MPA’s research activity will commence in March 2006.

11. Regular updates on the progress of the project will be reported at future PSCC meetings. Members should however note that it is likely that for the first six months of 2007, the MPA’s dip sampling function will concentrate upon the review of locally resolved complaints.

12. The IPCC is also currently finalising its arrangements to conduct a series of workshops for officers in the Borough of Brent at which officers will be invited to take part in a series of case studies. This is with the intention of promoting and improving officer application of the local resolution procedures. The activity is expected to take place before the end of February 2007, although the exact date has yet to be confirmed pending discussions with the Borough Commander.

13. In advance of the IPCC’s intervention, DPS is coincidentally undertaking officer training within the Borough of Brent to improve the standard of complainants handling, particularly in relation to the use of the local resolution procedures.

C. Race and equality impact

1. Work undertaken by the MPA and MPS in furtherance of the dip sampling protocol derives from recommendations of the Morris Inquiry to ensure that complaints are handled in a fair, proportionate and timely manner.

2. The principal purpose of the protocol is to provide the MPS with feedback on the standard of complaints handling by identifying examples of best and worst practice. Where necessary, recommendations will be made to effect positive changes to complaints handling procedures to ensure complainants’ communities’ and police officer/staff confidence in the process.

D. Financial implications

There are no direct financial implications arising from this report. However, there would be a future cost implication if members of the public were to be remunerated for completion of questionnaires. The research capacity of the MPA’s Planning and Performance team is subject to resource availability.

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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