Metropolitan Police Authority September meeting

67/03
23 September 2003

The Metropolitan Police Authority will meet at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London SW1 on Thursday 25 September 2003 at 10.00am. The meeting is open to members of the public and press.

At the meeting Toby Harris, Chair of the MPA, will recommend to the full Authority that there should be an independent inquiry into the handling of internal investigations and grievances within the Metropolitan Police Service. The inquiry will hold public sessions and produce a report setting out its recommendations.

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.

"This inquiry will seek to establish whether the processes and practises 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."

Toby Harris has also requested monthly information from the Met about operational police support that is going out onto boroughs by non-borough units. This can range from specialist units such as 'Trident' anti gun crime officers to public order officers and pan London armed response officers. With this information system in place, it will be possible to explain to communities in London's boroughs the policing levels in any one borough at any one time and indicate how all Londoners benefit from these support units.

Other agenda items will include

• Details of work currently underway to develop the extended police family in the Met;
• Health and Safety issues, including setting up a Health and Safety sub-committee;
• MPA draft accounts;
• A report on the next stages of police reform.

The Commissioner, Sir John Stevens, will give an update on operational policing issues in London and Toby Harris, Chair of the MPA, Catherine Crawford, Clerk to the Authority, and members will give updates on Authority matters.

Members will also hear two questions, one from Mr. Tom Mulcahey regarding the Liquor Licensing Law and Corporate Accountability', the other from Ms. Pauline Bowers regarding the relationship between the MPS and other members of CPCGs. The Clerk to the Authority, Catherine Crawford will give the Authority's responses at the meeting.

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