Metropolitan Police Authority: Statement by Race and Faith Inquiry Panel Chair Cindy Butts

Angela Carbery-Roach on 23 September 2009 at 20:37

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23 September 2009

The Chair of the Race and Faith Inquiry panel, Cindy Butts, will present emerging findings from the Inquiry, to the full Authority on 24 September 2009.

Cindy Butts said:

"We believe that the importance and complexity of the issues demand a report of significant quality and depth.  Race and faith are sensitive areas and the two combined proved very complex issues, which together have not been subject to an inquiry before. This proved a challenge for all involved and the Panel would like to thank everyone who contributed to our work.

"The Panel have highlighted through their emerging findings certain areas where the Met have made significant advances, for example in recruitment of BME staff.  However, we also identified a number of areas within the MPS that require further attention.  These include promotion, recruitment specific to specialist units and the need for a clear vision to develop policies for the future.”

The Inquiry focussed in the main on the MPS, but also sought views on the effectiveness of the MPA’s oversight.  They have been assured that the Authority will not shy away from making recommendations about the internal structures and culture of the MPA if they are necessary to make the MPA and the MPS more effective and would move both organisations forward.

Cindy Butts concluded:

“The panel remains committed to completing the task with which we were entrusted. We are united in our desire to secure the appropriate level of resources to produce a report which represents the importance of this task, and one that will have a meaningful and lasting impact on the Equality and Diversity agenda within the MPS.”

Notes to Editors

The emerging findings can be found at: www.mpa.gov.uk/scrutinies/race-faith/emergingfindings

Metropolitan Police Authority welcomes Race and Faith Inquiry emerging findings

Angela Carbery-Roach on 23 September 2009 at 12:04

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23 September 2009

Responding to the MPA’s Race and Faith Inquiry emerging findings Kit Malthouse, Vice Chair of the MPA said:

“We thank the Panel for its constructive and encouraging emerging findings and welcome the identification of areas where joint working can lead to even more improvement.

“We look forward to the final report but in the meantime we will continue to build on the successful initiatives identified by the Panel as already in place and  will work determinedly with the Met to continue to improve  equality and diversity issues within the service.

“The panel acknowledges the MPS' and MPA's rigorous co-operation with the Inquiry and the firm commitment of both organisations to the importance of getting Equalities and Diversity issues right.“

The Race and Faith Inquiry Panel, established by Mayor Boris Johnson,  found that over the last ten years since the Stephen Lawrence report the Met, supported by the Authority, has made significant progress in making sure the Met' workforce is more representative of all Londoners.

The MPA in particular has played a pivotal role in implementing the recommendations from the Stephen Lawrence report.

The panel acknowledged the hard work and success of the Met in this area and highlighted the following initiatives for commendation

• rise in BME PCSO recruitment;
• innovative recruitment methods such as those used in Operation Trident; and
• the adjustments made to welcome and accommodate various faiths, for example adjustments to uniform, inclusion of certain dietary needs and facilities for prayer rooms.

In conclusion the Panel recognises that it is imperative that the Met and the MPA meet the 'post-Lawrence era' challenge with urgency in order that the gains of the past are not lost, and congratulated the leadership of the MPA in establishing the Inquiry to promote renewed impetus in this important area of work.

Notes to Editors

The emerging findings can be found at: www.mpa.gov.uk/scrutinies/race-faith/emergingfindings

Metropolitan Police Authority: September Meeting

Angela Carbery-Roach on 23 September 2009 at 10:15

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23 September 2009

The September meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority will be held in the Chamber, City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA at 10.00 a.m. on Thursday 24 September 2009.

The meeting is open to members of the public and press, and everyone is welcome to attend. There is access for disabled people and induction loops are available.

Boris Johnson, MPA Chair, and Kit Malthouse, MPA Vice Chair, will give an oral update on any key issues or events since the last Authority meeting. Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson will present a report on policing performance and respond to questions from Authority members.

Other items to be discussed include:

• Commissioner’s 5 Ps
• Budget and Business Plan 2010/13
• MPA Race and Faith Inquiry – emerging findings
• MPA restructuring
• MPA Member role

Notes to Editors

1. The full Authority committee papers are available on the MPA website at: www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/mpa/2009/090924

Metropolitan Police Authority: Civil Liberties Panel questions senior Met public order officers

Angela Carbery-Roach on 18 September 2009 at 14:07

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18 September 2009

The MPA Civil Liberties Panel met on 17 September to question three senior Met officers, with responsibility for public order policing, about the tactics used in recent events, and specifically G20.   Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, Commander Bob Broadhurst and Chief Superintendent Ian Thomas, were asked to explain why they had used certain tactics such as ‘kettling’, and how the Met intends to ensure lessons learnt and public expectations are fed into future public order planning.

Victoria Borwick, MPA member and chair of the panel said:

“Londoners are very concerned about events and media images that resulted from the G20 policing.  It is essential that lessons learnt from this and other recent protests are embedded quickly into the whole organisation as the way forward needs to rebuild trust between police and public.

“The Panel examined how public order policing is planned and how quickly those plans are able to adapt to rapidly changing situations.  We discussed the importance of communications – between officers, from the senior officer in overall control to the PCs on the front line, as well as with the organisers before and protestors during an event. The contentious issue of police officer identification through their number badges, and consequent discipline if officers neglected this responsibility, was also looked at.

“We intend to gather as many Londoners’ views as possible and on the 5 November we will be holding a special meeting in London’s ‘Living Room’ at City Hall. We will be inviting people from all sides of the issue- protestors, police, business groups and people caught up in protests as they go about their daily business - to ask them what they want from their police service during a public order event.”

If you are interested in attending the event on 5 November 2009, or wish to submit a question, details will be on the MPA website by the beginning of October.

The Civil Liberties panel was established in the MPA’s strategic plan Met Forward, which sets out the MPA’s vision for the policing of London over the coming years.

Notes to Editors

1. Members of the panel:

• Victoria Borwick (Chair)
• Valerie Brasse
• Dee Doocey
• Kirsten Hearn
• Jenny Jones
• Clive Lawton
• Joanne McCartney
• Richard Tracey

2. Further information about the Civil Liberties Panel can be found at: www.mpa.gov.uk/clp

Metropolitan Police Authority: Civil Liberties Panel meeting Thursday 17 September 2009

Alison Philp on 16 September 2009 at 11:18

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16 September 2009

Due to the public concern over events surrounding the policing of G20, the first priority for the panel is a review of the policing of G20. This will reflect the issues raised by members at the Authority meeting on 30 April 2009.

The meeting is open to the public and press.

Answering questions from the Inquiry panel will be:

• Assistant Commissioner Central Operations Chris Allison
• Commander Bob Broadhurst, Central Operations
• Chief Superintendent Ian Thomas, Central Operations

Notes to Editors

1. Members of the panel:

• Victoria Borwick (Chair)
• Valerie Brasse
• Dee Doocey
• Kirsten Hearn
• Jenny Jones
• Clive Lawton
• Joanne McCartney
• Richard Tracey

2. Further information about the Civil Liberties Panel can be found at:

http://www.mpa.gov.uk/clp/

MPA Committee Meeting: Finance and Resources Committee

Angela Carbery-Roach on 15 September 2009 at 13:55

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15 September 2009

A meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority Finance and Resources Committee will be held in Meeting Room 1, 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY on Thursday 17 September 2009 at 2.00pm.

Amongst other items, the Committee will discuss:

Finance matters

• Revenue and capital budget monitoring report 2009/10 – period 4
• Efficiency plan monitoring – as at first quarter 2009/10
• Icelandic Bank – Impairment adjustment 2008/09 statement of accounts.

Estates update

• Stage 2 of the Safer Neighbourhoods Property Programme – update

Procurement matters

• Procurement/ contract items considered by the Resources Sub-Committee

Notes to editors

The committee papers are available on the MPA website at: www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/finres/2009/090917

MPA committee meeting: Communities, Equalities and People

Angela Carbery-Roach on 8 September 2009 at 10:40

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8 September 2009

A meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority Communities, Equalities and People Committee will be held in Meeting Room 1, 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY on Thursday 10 September 2009 at 2.00pm.

Amongst other items, the Committee will discuss:

• Revision of the joint MPA/MPS Community Engagement Strategy
• Review of Promoted Events Assessment Form 696
• Morris Inquiry update
• MPS Independent Advisory Groups (IAGs): implementation of the IAG Review and their governance

Committee papers for this meeting are available on the website at:: www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/cep/2009/090910/

MPA committee meetings: Joint Finance and Resources/Strategic and Operational Policing Committee and Strategic and Operational Policing Committee

Angela Carbery-Roach on 1 September 2009 at 09:17

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1 September 2009

A joint meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority Finance and Resources Committee and Strategic and Operational Policing Committee will be held in Meeting Room 1, 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY at 2.00pm on Thursday 3 September 2009. It will be followed immediately by the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee at 3.00pm.

At the joint meeting of Finance and Resources Committee and Strategic and Operational Policing Committee Members of the Authority will discuss

• Budget and business plan 2010/13.

At the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee Members will discuss:

• Headline performance report
• Update on Joint Engagement Meetings (JEMS)
• Update on progress with the Policing Pledge
• Satisfaction gap between white and BME victims of crime
• Impact of changes in the use of Forensic Medical Examiners on custody provision
• ‘Blue Light Museum’ feasibility study

Notes to Editors

The committee papers are available on the MPA website at: www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/finres/2009/090903j and www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/sop/2009/090903

MPA asks Londoners to have your say on policing in London

Angela Carbery-Roach on 1 September 2009 at 09:13

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1 September 2009

The Metropolitan Police Authority is asking Londoners to have their say and help identify the capital's policing priorities for 2011/12.

By completing a short online questionnaire Londoners can tell the MPA what are the most important issues for them and what they believe the police should be focusing. The questionnaire asks:

• what are your top three priorities for policing in London?
• why do you choose these priorities?
• what should the MPS be doing to tackle these priorities?

Kit Malthouse, Vice Chairman of the MPA, said:

"Public consultation plays an important part in setting the annual policing priorities for London and we want to encourage more and more Londoners to participate. All organisations do best when they listen to the people they serve and the police are no different.

“Participating in this annual consultation is a vital tool to help restore the vital link between our local communities and their police service.” 

The questionnaire is available at: www.mpa.gov.uk/publications/policingplans

Hardcopies: If you are unable to complete the online questionnaire please call 020 7202 0063 (or minicom 020 7202 0173), leaving your name and address and we will send you a paper copy of the questionnaire to complete and return to a freepost address.

Assistance to complete the questionnaire: If you require a telephone questionnaire, please call 020 7202 0063 (or minicom 020 7202 0173), leave your name and telephone number and somebody will call you back.

The closing date for completed questionnaires is 30 November 2009.

Notes to Editors

1. The current policing priorities can be found on the MPA website within the Policing London Business Plan at: www.mpa.gov.uk/downloads/publications/policingplan2009-12.pdf

2. The MPA’s policing and performance plans describe our arrangements for policing London over the year and gives details of our priorities and objectives, past performance and future performance targets, funding and use of resources and the work to support continuous improvement.