Update on progress of Professional Standards Support Programme (family group 2)

Report: 11
Date: 19 July 2007
By: Assistant Commissioner, Operational Services, on behalf of the Commissioner

Summary

This paper sets out the latest progress in respect of the Professional Standards Support Programme and specifically reviews the MPA PSCC family group 2 of Borough Operational Command Units.

A. Recommendations

That members members note the progress made in respect of the PSSP since the launch in November 2006.

B. Supporting information

1. Borough Operational Command Units (BOCUs) are where the majority of MPS staff work and where the greatest interaction with the public occurs. As a consequence, boroughs are where most public complaints arise and internal misconduct is likely to be found.

2. The Professional Standards Support Programme (PSSP) aims to deliver core Professional Standards messages to personnel engaged in regular service delivery to the people of London. The support programme is a significant part of the Directorate of Professional Standard’s strategic ambition to place prevention at the core of the command’s business activity. The timetable for delivery has been linked to the MPA Professional Standards Complaints Committee meetings to help achieve the ambitious target of visiting every BOCU within a calendar year. The MPA meeting structure was seen as an opportunity to review progress of the programme over the following year.

3. A pilot of the programme was delivered on Croydon borough during November and December 2006. The pilot was generally well received at Croydon. The pilot demonstrated that the involvement of the Police Federation and Trade Unions (TUS) at an early stage was key to allaying concerns about the motives behind the DPS presence on a borough.

4. A significant success for the PSSP has been the continued and constructive engagement with both TUS and the Police Federation. DPS staff have delivered a bespoke package to representatives of both groups prior to delivering presentations within the MPA family groups. The wholehearted support of the Federation and TUS is acknowledged by the DPS and has been of significant benefit to the programme to date.

5. MPA PSCC Group 2 comprising of Bromley, Havering, Bexleyheath, Merton, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton and Kingston upon Thames was the first group of BOCUs to formally receive PSSP input as part of an ongoing roll out process for the full 12 months of 2007.

6. Prior to formal engagement and any decisions upon specific input for each BOCU research was carried out by the DPS Performance Analysis Unit (PAU) to inform the PSSP and to assist the individual BOCUs in understanding their performance in relation to areas covered by DPS. This exercise is becoming more sophisticated in the light of experience with the first borough group.

7. To inform the PSSP delivery process, DPS PAU reviewed a number of sources to establish whether any BOCU performance was exceptionally different from that of its peers within the MPA PSCC group. Sources included data such as:

• Public Complaints
• Conduct Matters
• Civil Actions
• Accident Claims
• Officers subject to the Complaints Intervention Scheme (CIS)
• Intelligence received
• Additional open source information was reviewed including Internal Audit (MPA)
• Public Attitude Survey
• Census Data
• MPS Workforce Planning Data

The information collated was put before a tasking meeting in order that DPS resources could be directed to areas of potentially greater need. The review of the Public Complaints and Conduct Matters trend data (trigger thresholds) showed that Kingston BOCU was ranked relatively high in terms of public complaints per 100 officers but low to average for conduct matters. On the basis of the public complaint figures appearing to be greater per 100 officers, Kingston BOCU was afforded greater resources for PSSP engagement within their family group.

PSSP Engagement

8. The PSSP offered the following products from a menu of options available for delivery:

Core

• Information leakage and computer misuse
• Accident claims
• Civil actions

Core (plus)

• Local management of public complaints and misconduct
• Complaints Intervention Scheme overview
• Custody input

9. Prior to the formal process of delivery on each BOCU a number of meetings occurred to prepare the way for formal delivery and these included:

• DPS SMT engagement at Link Commander & BOCU Commander level
• DPS SMT engagement at BOCU SMT level
• DPS briefing to BOCU Staff Association (Federation)
• DPS engagement with BOCU Single Point Of Contact
• DPS engagement with designated DPS Borough Support Investigating Officer
• DPS engagement with BOCU HR & Training Managers

10. The initial approach to each Borough was made by Supt. Paul McGregor (DPS-Prevention and Organisational Learning) at Operational Command Unit Commander level. He had formal meetings with the following: Ch. Supt. Nicholson (Kingston); Ch. Supt. Wood (Merton); A/Ch. Supt. Bell (Bromley); Ch. Supt. Dawson (Bexleyheath); Ch. Supt. Edwards (Richmond); Ch. Supt. Reid (Sutton); Supt. Wisbey (Havering).

11. All seven BOCUs approached within this process were keen to receive input from the DPS. Delivery across the BOCUs differed significantly. Primarily this was due to differing local training opportunities. PSSP is offered to boroughs in addition to mandatory training. Territorial Policing (TP) support DPS input providing it does not adversely impact on mandatory training. This understanding has a number of benefits for both TP and DPS although the requirement to work around existing mandatory training timetables combined with different local structures, shift patterns and training cycles can make the delivery of a standard product, near impossible. Other opportunities for delivery are sought at supervisors’ or other management meetings. The DPS endeavour to be as creative as possible in seeking opportunities to deliver preventative messages.

12. Across the family group as a whole and in addition to SMT and Staff Association engagement, the PSSP delivered 57 separate stand-alone training inputs. The target audiences across these inputs was varied and consisted of both police staff and managers and also police officers from constable through to superintendent ranks (dependent upon the input). In total, across the seven BOCUs, approximately 1400 police officers and staff received input averaging out at around 200 per BOCU.

13. In addition to the above, Kingston BOCU received specific input for a newly appointed local DPS single point of contact (SPOC). The Inspector received bespoke training on the management of both local complaints and discipline procedures. Particular emphasis was placed on the Complaints Intervention Scheme (CIS). The Kingston SPOC was also introduced to the DPS team responsible for investigating Kingston’s complaints.

14. In more general terms, as well as the preventative message delivered, PSSP engagement checked the existing relationships between the relevant DPS BSU and the individual SPOCS and encouraged mangers at all levels to obtain early advice from the DPS in respect of any matter they felt required additional support or advice. The building of strong relationships between DPS and local SPOCS is a key area of work in preparation for the implementation of the Taylor reforms.

15. Feedback – All attendees at DPS presentations were asked to complete a written feedback questionnaire. All returned feedback indicated that attendees were either satisfied or very satisfied with the inputs. In general terms, the feedback can be interpreted as positive and indicative that the core PSSP messages within each individual product are currently ‘fit for purpose’.

Observations and specific learning

16. The first wave of PSSP engagement across MPA – PSCC Group 2 has allowed for feedback and learning to pass in both directions. In summary the main positive elements developed from PSSP engagement with BOCUs are as follows:

• Enhanced understanding and working relationships between the BOCU, Staff Associations and the DPS. This has directly resulted in the DPS having the opportunity to run a day seminar on the use of lethal and less than lethal force. Internationally renowned Dr Bill Lewinski and his team were running a series of seminars on behalf of the Police Federation. Close liaison with the Federation afforded DPS the opportunity to run the seminar for senior MPS/MPA and IPCC representatives
• A diverse target audience across each BOCU receiving specific input relevant to their needs and working environment. Presentations on Civil Actions were tailored to issues of public order and breach of the peace for Kingston officers, an area of concern identified by the local SMT. The same presentations were adjusted to include off duty behaviour, an area of concern raised by Sutton borough. Off duty behaviour will be developed as a stand-alone presentation over the coming months based on BOCU feedback and the DPS Strategic Intelligence Assessment.
• The DPS have been given an opportunity to spread a positive message to employees raising their professional esteem. Feedback from Merton has been especially encouraging within this group.
• Presentations were sufficiently well received at both Sutton and Merton, that additional requests for DPS input have been received. Computer misuse presentations will be delivered to all CID officers in Merton, whilst Sutton have requested further input on both custody and computer misuse.
• Greater empowerment of local managers to manage and supervise both public complaints and internal misconduct quickly and effectively in the knowledge that appropriate DPS support and advice is available through designated SPOCs.
• In addition to the Professional Standards Support Programme borough roll out, DPS Prevention and Organisational Learning ran four Custody seminars at New Scotland Yard during April and May. The conferences were specifically targeted at Custody Sergeants, Designated Detention Officers and Inspectors. Over 100 personnel attended these well-received seminars in addition to Independent Custody Visitors, Independent Police Complaints Commission staff and representatives from police services across the United Kingdom.

17. The PSSP has provided DPS with the opportunity to engage at all levels within the wider police family. It has allowed the DPS to review some of its own administrative practices and gauge what our customers (SMTs on BOCU) seek from us.

C. Race and equality impact

As part of the Fundamental Review of the Directorate of Professional Standards, extensive consultation and engagement with key stakeholders was undertaken. In respect of the PSSP, the DPS Diversity Co-coordinator has reviewed all presentations.

D. Financial implications

All costs for the PSSP are to be met from within the DPS financial budget for 2007/08.

E. Background papers

None.

F. Contact details

Report author(s): Superintendent Paul McGregor, MPS

For more information contact:

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

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