Minutes

Minutes of the Professional Standards and Performance Monitoring Committee meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority held in AG23, Romney House, Westminster on Tuesday 8 May 2001.

Present

Members

• Richard Sumray (Chair)
• Elizabeth Howlett (Deputy Chair)
• Anthony Arbour
• Reshard Auladin
• Roger Evans
• Lynne Featherstone
• R David Muir

MPA staff

• Catherine Crawford (Clerk)
• Johanna Gillians (Senior Analyst)
• Nick Baker (Head of Committee Services)

MPS staff

• Ian Blair (Deputy Commissioner)
• Andy Hayman (DC, Head of Professional Standards)
• Philip Hagon (Commander)
• Cath Kitching (Corporate Performance Analysis Unit)

In addition, approximately seven members of the press/public and other MPA/MPS staff were present.

Part 1

84. Apologies

(Agenda item 1)

No apologies were received.

85. Minutes of meeting: 10 April 2001

(Agenda item 2)

The minutes of the Committee meeting held 10 April 2001 were agreed and signed as a correct record, subject to the inclusion of the Deputy Commissioner's apologies.

Arising from the minutes, Members reiterated the need to see a sample selection of public complaints made against the MPS before the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) considered them.

86. Chair's and members' update

(Agenda item 3)

No reports were given.

87. Homicide performance

(Agenda item 4)

The Committee considered a report that gave details on current homicide trends and the MPS performance over that last three years. The report informed Members on the impact that individual operations and/or branches have made on homicide clear-up rates.

It was noted that the MPS clear-up rate target of 90 per cent was being met which Members welcomed.

Members requested that future report on homicide give a more comprehensive breakdown of homicide figures.

The Deputy Commissioner suggested that in relation to homicide, the Committee should receive a presentation on Operation Trident at a future meeting.

Resolved:

1. Members note the report;
2. future reports on homicide incorporate more in-depth breakdown of homicide figures;
3. at a future meeting, the Committee receive a presentation on Operation Trident.

88. March performance report

(Agenda item 5)

A report was received giving an overview of the MPS performance and providing a full listing of Policing Plan and Best Value Performance Indicators.

Members expressed concern at the slippage in the delivery of CRR training and suggested that the Consultation, Diversity and Outreach Committee consider this issue further. Members also suggested that the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee review resource issues.

The Committee discussed the increase of crimes involving young people and the increase in crimes associated with mobile phones and agreed to consider this topic in further detail at a future meeting. The Clerk highlighted the work currently being undertaken by the Jill Dando Institute on restricting opportunities to commit crimes and suggested working closer with the Institute, possibly holding a joint workshop/seminar.

Arising from the discussion on offensive weapons, Members requested an informal workshop that would take on board various issues, including stop and search issues.

Resolved:

1. the report be noted;
2. the Consultation, Diversity and Outreach Committee consider the delivery of CRR training further and that the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee review resource issues;
3. workshops for Members on youth crime, incorporating the increase in theft of mobile phones, and on offensive weapons be arranged.

89. MPS reviews of criminal justice

(Agenda item 6)

The Committee considered a report that provided an update on the current work within criminal justice, summarised the outcomes of completed reviews and noted the imminent best value review.

Members requested that this issue be looked at regularly. The Deputy Commissioner suggested that consideration should be given to the work other forces are doing in relation to the execution of warrants.

Resolved:
the report be noted.

90. The basic command unit – HMIC inspection plans and Audit Commission recommendations

(Agenda item 7)

The Committee received a report that informed Members of the new programme of borough based HMIC inspection visits and Audit Commission recommendations regarding the role of the Basic Command Unit. The report informed Members of the aims, structure and content of the HMIC visits and the MPS plans for a similar inspection model. Members noted the recommendations made by the Audit Commission for greater delegated powers and accountability for BCUs.

The report also asked Members to consider what role the Authority should play in monitoring the inspection process and its outcomes. Members suggested that link members should be involved and that officers should work to prepare clear guidance as to what that role would be.

Resolved:

1. Members note the HMIC Basic Command Unit (BCU) inspection programme and the Audit Commission recommendations regarding greater BCU responsibility;
2. Members support the MPS plans to carry out borough based inspections using the HMIC model;
3. a report be presented to a future meeting on the role of MPA link members on the scope of involvement in the inspection process and its outcomes.

91. Complaints and internal investigations files – frequency of reviews

(Agenda item 8)

The Committee received a verbal report on complaints and initial investigations files and the frequency of reviews.

On receiving the report, Members requested further advice on their role in dealing with complaints and the frequency of reviewing both complaints and internal investigation files.

Resolved:

1. the report be received;
2. report on Members' involvement in complaints and the frequency of reviewing both complaints and internal investigation files be presented to the July meeting of the Committee.

92. Working party on complaints and discipline and relationship with police complaints authority

(Agenda item 9)

At the Committee meeting in February 2001, Members considered a number of recommendations in respect of Home Office proposals relating to police complaints procedures. The Committee now considered a report that outlined the proposals made on this issue by a sub group of the Association of Police Authorities (APA) Personnel Issues Group, set up to develop the reform proposals.

The report also sought a nomination from the Committee to join the APA Personnel Issues Group sub-group.

In addition, the Committee discussed some of the issues raised by the Deputy Chair of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) made during her presentation at the last Committee meeting. It was noted that Sir Alistair Graham, Chair of the PCA, would be invited to attend a future meeting of the Committee and Members agreed to discuss the proposed PCA document on guidance on complaints further with him at that meeting.

Resolved:

1. the Committee note the APA paper 'Complaints: New Framework and role of Police Authorities' as given at Appendix 1 to the report;
2. Richard Sumray be nominated to represent the Committee on the APA Personnel Issues Group Sub Group;
3. the PCA document on guidance on complaints was noted and would be and discussed further with the Chair of the PCA at the next Committee meeting.

93. Exclusion of press and public

(Agenda item 10)

A resolution was put to exclude the press and public from the meeting during agenda items 11 and 12 as they were likely to disclose exempt information as described in Schedule 12(a) (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) relating to:

Information relating to a particular employee, former employee or applicant to become an employee of, or a particular office-holder, former office holder or applicant to become an office-holder under the authority.

Resolved:
the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the agenda items 11 and 12.

94. Update on Lindo and MPS action plan

(Agenda item 11)

Members received a report that updated them on the progress of the MPS action plan relating to this issue. Not all of the report had been circulated as intended, Commander Hayman apologised for this. The Chair asked that the missing appendices be circulated to all members of the committee for more detailed discussion at the next meeting.

Resolved:
the report be noted, and the missing report be circulated for further discussion at the next meeting.

95. Police regulations

(Agenda item 12)

The Committee considered a report that related to an issue under the Police Regulations.

Resolved:
a report be considered at a future meeting on ACPO guidance regarding this issue.

The meeting closed at 4.45pm.

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