MPA proposes independent inquiry

65/03
19 September 2003

Toby Harris, Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, today announced that he will be recommending to the full Authority meeting on Thursday 25 September that there should be an independent inquiry into the handling of internal investigations and grievances within the Metropolitan Police Service.

The inquiry will be lead by an independent chair, with a small team of advisers who will bring professional experience and an understanding of the need to increase community confidence to the inquiry. It will hold public sessions and produce a report, setting out its recommendations, for publication.

Outlining the proposals, Toby Harris said:

“A number of recent cases, including the acquittal of Supt Ali Dizaei, have focused our concerns about the perception of disproportionality in the way some Directorate of Professional Standards investigations are taken forward. There is no doubt that many black and minority ethnic officers within the MPS feel vulnerable and discouraged by what they perceive to be unfairness in the way in which the processes operate.

“I very much hope that this perception is unjustified but I am clear that we cannot undertake a satisfactory examination of structures and processes without a full inquiry conducted independently of the MPS. The Commissioner recognises this and I greatly welcome his open support.

“This inquiry will seek to establish whether the processes and practices within the DPS are effective and comply fully with the MPS’s diversity strategy, which the Authority has endorsed. It will not be an inquiry into the investigation of Supt Dizaei, though the team will undoubtedly want to draw on any relevant lessons to be learnt from the handling of a number of cases, as well as taking account of the recommendations of the report into the case of Sergeant Gurpal Virdi.”

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