MPA asks the question - "Does the MPS Communicate effectively?"

53/06
06 September 2006

Are the Metropolitan Police Service’s communication policies robust enough to fulfil the needs of London’s diverse communities for timely and meaningful information?

Are they constructive enough to help promote good community relations?

Or is there a danger that organisational silence creates an ‘information vacuum’ that is filled by rumour and unhelpful speculation, and which in turn promotes dissatisfaction and mistrust in the police service and its actions?

These are just some of the questions to be investigated at a meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board (EODB) on Thursday, 7 September.

Kirsten Hearn, chair of the EODB, said:

“Recent events have highlighted the importance of a timely, robust and
accurate flow of information from the police, whether directly to our communities during operations in specific neighbourhoods, or via the media for broader dissemination.

“Too often now we have seen what appears to be an ‘information vacuum’. While this may occur for logical reasons, such as legal constraints, in the absence of clarification it can be perceived as corroboration of misinformation and speculation in circulation.

“Today we want to hear first-hand from the Directorate of Public Affairs (DPA) how it is responding to these crucial concerns. The DPA is fully aware of potential shortcomings and we want to understand what it is doing to improve communication and ensure the accuracy and consistency of information released.

“Effective communication is vital to reassure London’s communities that the police service is working to protect us all in the face of unprecedented threats.”

Notes to editors

1. The EODB meeting starts at 10:00 on Thursday 7 September. The report for discussion of MPS communications is available on the MPA’s website at: www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/eodb/2006/060907/07.htm

2. The MPA carries out an annual programme of scrutinies in order to fulfil its duty to monitor the performance of the MPS and secure continuous improvement in the service provided to the people of London.

3. As part of the current round of scrutinies the MPA will be investigating the MPS approach to media and communications management. This followed concerns about the police operation, and the subsequent media handling, in Forest Gate.

4. The scrutiny will be chaired by Len Duvall, chair of the MPA, and the panel will comprise the following MPA members: Damian Hockney; Elizabeth Howlett; Karim Murji; and Rachel Whittaker.

5. The objectives of the scrutiny are to:

• assess the extent to which the MPS has the strategies, policies, protocols and processes in place to ensure efficient and effective communication, media and reputation management, particularly in the context of the 24 hour news environment;
• undertake a detailed analysis of the handling of the media and communication during the Forest Gate incident in June 2006;
• assess how effectively the MPS engages internally to manage communication to the media, Londoners and stakeholders, particularly during sensitive operations;
• understand the culture of the MPS towards communication and media management and the impact this has on the delivery of an effective service;
• evaluate the use of resources available to the MPS to deliver this key function, including understanding the division of resources and lines of accountability between central and local directorates; and
• understand the legal context within which the MPS operates and the implications this has for the organisation.

6. Full details of this scrutiny can be accessed on the MPA’s website at: www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/cop/2006/060901/11.htm

Further media information

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