Welfare support for officers and staff suspended whilst under investigation

Report: 12
Date: 10 July 2008
By: Director of Human Resources on behalf of the Commissioner

Summary

This is an update to the report submitted to the Professional Standards and Complaints Committee (PSCC) on 13 March 2008. This report outlines the action taken to date by the Suspension Support Unit (SSU) to address concerns raised at the aforementioned meeting, which are as follows:

• The low level of take up of the Keep in Touch Scheme (KITS);
• The need for a formal feedback mechanism for officers/staff who are suspended; and
• The governance of information provided to suspended individuals by their local HR Units, to ensure consistency across the MPS.

A. Recommendations

That members note the report.

B. Supporting information

1. The SSU is an integral part of the HR Services Employment Support Unit. It was set up as part of the MPS response to the Morris Inquiry specifically to address feedback from a number of police officers and members of police staff who indicated that they felt isolated from the Service whilst suspended from duty. A key objective of the SSU is to provide a corporate overview and governance of the support provided to individuals who are suspended while under investigation. The SSU undertakes to monitor and track the support provided by Operational Command Units. A dedicated member of Employment Support Unit staff undertakes this specific activity. The SSU are available to provide advice and guidance to HR Managers, and Suspension Support Officers (SSOs) to ensure compliance with policy and the Standard Operating Procedure. Where officers and members of police staff elect to be placed on the corporate KITS scheme they are provided with a weekly newsletter advising of developments across the Service together with copies of policy/legislation etc. The report submitted to the PSCC in March 2008, outlined the role and function of the Suspension Support Unit (SSU). It also included information on the practical support provided to individuals and details of the take up of the Keep in Touch Scheme (KITS). The MPS identified that there was no formal provision within the operating procedure to capture feedback from officers and staff on the effectiveness of the suspension support service.

Update on Take Up of Keep in Touch Scheme (KITS)

Police Officers

2. At the time of writing there are 24 police officers suspended. Seven police officers have elected to participate in the KIT scheme, these officers have requested that information is sent to them by the SSU. The information consists of a weekly newsletter which includes items from the MPS Intranet website, useful internet website links such as Skills for Justice, copies of Notices, the Job, and Metline magazine.
Twelve officers have declined the offer. The SSU made contact with the Suspension Support Officers’ (SSOs) to ascertain the reasons why these individuals did not wish to be included on the KITS scheme. From the replies received to date, six officers indicated they were not interested in the scheme as they were satisfied with the level of support being received via their SSO. Two individuals had developed their own support network either through colleagues and/or the Federation and Staff Support Associations. Two officers reported feelings of depression and anxiety and did not wish for anything other than the obligatory essential minimum contact with the MPS. The other two officers stated they were not interested in participating in the scheme.

Police Staff

3. At the time of writing there are 20 police staff suspended. Nine have asked to be placed on the corporate Keep in Touch Scheme. Four have requested information from their local HR Unit. The Units concerned were contacted by the SSU to ascertain what information is sent to individuals and all were aware of the policy in relation to the minimum requirements of the KITS package. The SSOs confirmed that individuals were satisfied with the material being sent. There are five cases where the individual has declined the offer and have given very similar reasons to the police officers. There are a further two cases where the SSU is liasing with the local Operational Command Units. Current take up of KITS is 65% of those currently suspended.

4. A numerical breakdown based on gender and ethnicity for Police Officers who are currently suspended

Table 1: Number of Police officers currently suspended based on gender and ethnicity

Table 2: Number of Police staff currently suspended based on gender and ethnicity

Improvement to Suspension Support Service

6. The SSU has devised a questionnaire for completion by the officers and staff currently suspended from duty. It will also be sent to individuals who have returned from suspension to assess how their reintegration to the Service was managed. The questions are designed to elicit their views on the Suspension Support Service and ideas for improvements (if any) to the role of the Suspension Support Officer. The document was sent to the Police Federation, Directorate of Professional Standards, the Trade Unions and the Staff Support Associations for consultation. Positive feedback has been received regarding the introduction of the questionnaire. However, as a note of caution the Trade Union representatives and colleagues within DPS highlighted the challenge of obtaining constructive/objective feedback from staff whilst they are subject of an on-going investigation. The questionnaires are due to be distributed in the next few weeks and the SSU will provide an update to the PSCC in the next report.

C. Race and equality impact

There are no immediate implications in respect of equality and diversity arising from this report. The suspension support process as a whole, and in particular the KIT scheme, has not resulted in any adverse impact on a particular group. The needs of staff based upon race, disability etc will always be accommodated through the management of the scheme.

D. Financial implications

There are no specific financial implications arising from this report.

E. Background papers

• Professional Standards and Complaints Committee, Report 9, 13 March 2008.

F. Contact details

Report authors: George McAnuff, Assistant Director of HR Services, Core Support, MPS

For more information contact:

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

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback