Minutes

Minutes of the Professional Standards and Performance Monitoring Committee meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority held in AG23, Romney House, Westminster on Thursday 12 July 2001.

Present

Members

• Richard Sumray (Chair)
• Elizabeth Howlett (Deputy Chair)
• Anthony Arbour
• Jennette Arnold
• Reshard Auladin
• Lynne Featherstone
• R David Muir
• Rachel Whittaker

Also present: Nicholas Long (items 1-4)

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
• Tim Godwin (DAC)
• Cath Kitching (Corporate Performance Analysis Unit)
• Steve Roberts

In addition, approximately 12 members of the press/public and other MPA/MPS staff were present.

Part 1

110. Apologies

(Agenda item 1)

No apologies were received.

111. Minutes of meeting: 12 June 2001

(Agenda item 2)

The minutes of the Committee meeting held 12 June 2001 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

112. Chair's and members update

(Agenda item 3)

It was reported that three Members had attended Jubilee House and examined Police Complaints Authority complaint files.

Arising from this information the Committee agreed that it would be beneficial to hold a workshop on complaints and that the workshop should include information relating to statutory duties.

Resolved – That a workshop be arranged during the autumn 2001 on complaints and that this workshop includes details on statutory requirements.

113. Presentation from Sir Alistair Graham, Chair of the Police Complaints Authority

(Agenda item 4)

The Committee welcomed Sir Alistair Graham the Chair of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), who gave the Committee a presentation on the PCA.

As part of his presentation Sir Alistair referred to the PCA's annual report and in particular highlighted some areas of public concern. These included number of incidents involving police vehicles. In highlighting this issue, Sir Alistair also commended several MPS initiatives, aimed at improving this concern such as advanced driver training for officers. He also discussed the reduction of deaths in custody and how improved training techniques were being adopted nationally. The Committee noted that complaints received by the PCA were at the same level as the previous year and that there had been an increase in complaints from members of the ethnic minority community.

Sir Alistair moved on to discuss the future of the PCA. He informed the Committee that the organisation would be reformed by 2003 from which point it would be renamed the Independent Police Complaints Commission. During the period leading to reform, several pilot schemes and initiatives were highlighted, some of which the MPS were leading on and which included: the right of appeal of complaint to be recorded; introduction of an informal resolutions process; and the independent investigation of complaints.

Resolved – That the report be received.

114. Monthly PRC Perfomanace May Monitoring Report

(Agenda item 5)

The Committee considered the regular monthly report that gave an overview of MPS performance against the targets in policing plan.

Arising from discussion Members noted the Deputy Commissioner concern about the rise in street crime offences and that in some boroughs figures are exceeding the 2% reduction target. Members suggested that where possible future figures should try to identify if an increase in street crime was an increase in reporting or an increase of incidents. The Committee also acknowledged the judicial disposal success in Lewisham and requested further information in order that any best practice could be disseminated to other boroughs. The Deputy Commissioner also invited Members to visit Lewisham to see how judicial disposals were operated.

The Committee discussed youth crime, including initiatives already in place such as the Norlington School (Southwark) initiative and those planned by the MPS. Members acknowledged the importance of working closer with partners and the need for a holistic approach, as well as the need to look in the long term at child protection issues.

The Committee also discussed rape havens and violent assaults and noted that a report on this subject would be discussed at the October meeting of the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee. Arising from the discussion the Committee requested the MPS liase with the MPA officers regarding changes to the targets.

The Deputy Commissioner highlighted the growing number of emergency telephone calls being received by the MPS and concern about the increase in silent calls. Members noted this concern and requested that further discussion be held with British Telecom.

Resolved – That

1. the report be received;
2. MPS and MPA officers discuss a change to the rape target; and
3. discussions continue with British Telecom regarding concern about silent emergency telephone calls.

115. Verbal update on Operation Strongbox

(Agenda item 6)

The Deputy Commissioner gave the Committee a verbal up date on Operation Strongbox. In doing so, Members were informed that an additional report would be given at the full Authority meeting on 26 July 2001.

The Deputy Commissioner gave details of the highly successful operation that was currently taken place in the London Borough of Haringey. The Committee were informed that during this operation the use CCTV had been highly successful in both reducing crime and being used as supporting evidence.

In conclusion the Deputy Commissioner highlighted the need for a process of recording and processing of any complaints that arise from Operation Strongbox.

Resolved – That

1. the Members note that a full report on Operation Strongbox would be presented to the full Authority meeting on 26 July 2001; and
2. at a future meeting the Committee consider complaints that arise from Operation Strongbox.

116. MPS performance against burglary

(Agenda item 7)

The Committee received the third of the quarterly reports on burglary, which reviewed recent performance against targets. The report also gave up to date information regarding the implementation of the Scientific Support Strategy.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

117. Auto-crime performance

(Agenda item 8)

The Committee considered a report that gave an update on information provided to the Committee in December 2000 and March 2001 on auto-crime performance. The report also gave details of performance in boroughs.

In particular, the report informed Members that the MPS, after consultation with the public and its partners, had set a target to reduce auto-crime by 5%, but the Government had set the MPS a five-year target of 30% based on 1998/99 crime figures. This would therefore require the MPS, in order to meet its best value performance indicator, to reduce auto-crime by an average of 14% a year over the next three years. Members noted that this would provide a significant challenge to the MPS.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

118. PNC data quality – MPS arrangement

(Agenda item 9)

Following the publication of Her Majesty's Inspectorate (HMIC) report in 2000 that highlighted the shortcomings in England and Wales in relation to Police National Computer (PNC) data quality, the Committee received a report that outlined the current situation and the measures put in place by the MPS to tackle the issue.

Members noted that the main area of attention related to arrests and summons reports and impending prosecution backlogs with a proportion pre dating 1995. Members were reminded that as this was contrary to the requirements of the Data Protection Act and due to the lack of progress on this issue, the Information Commissioner was considering the issuing of enforcement notices to Chief Officers of Police, which would require compliance by April 2002. Non-compliance by the Chief Officer concerned would constitute a criminal offence. Members were also informed that the Home Secretary had ordered HMIC to inspect a number of police services and report by early September 2001 as to whether the PNC is 'fit for purpose'. It was reported that the MPS would be one of the first police services to be inspected and if improvements were not in evidence, the enforcement route would follow.

The Committee agreed that discussions be undertaken with the Greater London Magistrates Association and the Association of Police Authorities on improving processes between the criminal justice units and courts to enable case results to be administered effectively.

Resolved – That

1. the Committee note the action and progress made by the MPS to date and continue to monitor progress towards tangible improvement in PNC data quality; and
2. discussions be undertaken with the Greater London Magistrates Association and the Association of Police Authorities on improving processes between the criminal justice units and courts to enable case results to be administered effectively.

119. Youth offending

(Agenda item 10)

The Committee received a report that gave an updated on MPS performance for the beginning of the financial year 2001/02, particularly relating to the corporate targets and objectives on youth offending.

The report also summarised actions and proposals that were being undertaken to resolve youth data problems.

The Chair reminded Members of the planned workshop on youth offending which would be held on 10 September 2001 and Members agreed that a further report on youth offending be presented to a future meeting of the Committee.

Resolved - That the report be noted and a further report on youth offending be presented to a future meeting of the Committee.

120. Member involvement in BCU inspections - verbal update

(Agenda item 11)

The Committee received a brief verbal update on Member involvement in BCU Inspections.

Members commissioned a report to the next meeting of the Committee on this issue.

Resolved – That a report on Member involvement in BCU inspections be presented to the next meeting of the Committee.

121. Proposed scrutiny arrangements on performance management

(Agenda item 12)

Members at the June 2001 meeting of the Committee, agreed the constitution of scrutiny committee to look at individual areas of performance and that a programme of work be presented to this meeting of the Committee for consideration.

The Committee now considered a report that recommended an initial scrutiny into MPA rape investigations and victim care and that proposed a programme of work and timescales. Members agreed the appointment of a project manager and the membership of the first committee. Members also requested that a workshop on the scrutiny process be arranged.

With regard to the scrutiny committee, Members requested that all issues be dealt with in a focused manner, with clear outcomes and be well supported.

It was agreed that a future issue that could be considered would be crime and disorder. Members also agreed that no more than three issues be considered in one year.

Resolved – That

1. Members approve the proposal for 'rape and victim care' to be the first topic for performance scrutiny by the MPA;
2. the proposed methodology and timescales outlined in the report be agreed;
3. the membership for the first committee be Richard Sumray, Elizabeth Howlett and Jennette Arnold and that Johanna Gillians be the project director; and
4. (4) that a workshop on the scrutiny process be arranged.

122. Restoration justice and Police complaints

(Agenda item 13)

The Committee received a report that gave information on restorative justice and a pilot scheme that has been operated by Thames Valley Police Service, who had adapted the principles of restorative justice to the police complaints system.

Members noted that the MPS had held exploratory meetings with Thames Valley Police Service about the pilot scheme and that the MPS were also discussing the potential for both restorative justice and mediation with Cabinet Office, PCA and the Crown Prosecution Service, in the context of looking at ways of improving the police complaints process.

Resolved – That Members note the report.

123. MPA oversight of complaints and discipline

(Agenda item 14)

The Committee considered a report that informed Members of the Association of Police Authorities (APA) submission to the Home Office on complaints and which gave the opportunity for the Committee to influence the content of a national seminar giving guidance on the subject. In doing so it would leave the MPA well placed to define the strategy on complaints and discipline.

Resolved – That

1. the Committee joins with the APA Personnel Committee to make a submission to the Home Office Programme Board on police complaints; and
2. the Committee await the APA seminar before specifying the MPA strategy on complaints and discipline.

124. Timelessness of disciplinary procedures

(Agenda item 15)

The Committee considered a report that outlined the current high level position with regard to investigations into public complaints and internal enquiries within the MPS following centralisation of the function after service restructuring. The report highlighted the current position regarding the investigation and corresponding decision making process within the MPS and the deteriorating position in receiving a decision from the PCA once internal MPS processes had been completed. The report also reminded Members of the positive comments made in the recent HMIC inspection of the MPS on the work of the Directorate of Professional Standards.

Members noted the current backlog and delays in processing complaints and commissioned a report to a future meeting that focused on the MPS action plans for dealing with this backlog. This report should include consideration of reappointing retired ACPO officers to hear cases and the use of alternative facilities for hearings.

The Committee also discussed Members roles in hearing disciplinary cases and noted the restrictions placed on PSPM Members hearing MPA cases. However, Members agreed the benefits of sitting on other authorities' hearings, together with possible benefits of members of other authorities sitting on MPA cases.

Resolved – That

1. Members noted the current backlog and delays in processing complaints; and
2. at the next meeting of the Committee a report be presented that focused on the MPS action plans for dealing with delays in processing complaints.

125. Exclusion of press and public

(Agenda item 16)

Resolved: That under section 100 A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for item 17 and 18, on the grounds that it involved disclosure of exempt information as detailed in the paragraphs 1 of Schedule 12A of the above Act.

Summary of exempt items

126. Update on Action Plan arising from an Inquiry

(Agenda item 17)

Members considered the development of an action plan that aimed to focus a complaint reduction strategy.

Resolved – That the report be received.

127. Exempt minutes

(Agenda item 18)

The Committee agreed the exempt minutes of the Professional Standards and Performance Monitoring Committee meeting on 12 June 2001 and noted that Jennette Arnold would replace Roger Evans on the group considering a complaint.

Resolved – That the exempt minutes be agreed, noting that Jennette Arnold replaces Roger Evans on the group considering a complaint.

The meeting closed at 5.20 p.m.

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