Professional Standards
Date: Thursday 8th August 2024
Chair: John Campion
Attendance:
- John Campion – Police and Crime Commissioner
- Tony Morriss – Deputy Chief Executive Officer (AM)
- Charity Pearce – Senior Policy Officer (CP)
- Richard Cooper – T/Deputy Chief Constable (T/DCC)
- Mo Lansdale – Supt. for Professional Standards (ML)
1. Review of Action Tracker
This is the first meeting under this format so no previous actions to review.
2. Assurance & Accountability
In preparation for this meeting two reports were prepared detailing performance on complaints, conduct and complaint review cases. These reports shaped discussion at the meeting.
PSD Quarterly Performance
T/DCC Cooper started by acknowledging his concern regarding the high levels of both complaints and conduct cases. There has been a notable increase in Q1 24/25, but further work is required to understand the drivers behind this. Other forces are seeing similar increases but not to the same level been seen in West Mercia.
The PCC was interested in understanding what analytical capacity is in place to fully understand the drivers. Whilst some work has begun by looking into the frequent themes, T/DCC shared the same position and was interested in a more nuanced understanding for complaint cases. The increase for conduct case is being seen as a positive outcome of the annual integrity health checks and reflects people reporting their concerns.
ACTION: Force to provide briefing on understanding behind the increase in conduct data at the next meeting.
Complaint Cases
IOPC data shows West Mercia are an outlier for complaints recorded outside of schedule 3 when compared to most similar forces. ML set out that these cases relate to low level compliant such as being unable to contact an officer or lack of updates. PSD try to service recover before recording a formal complaint.
IOPC data shows that West Mercia are an outlier for complaint cases recorded per 1000 employees. The PCC expressed concern that West Mercia are outliers across a number of metrics and asked when we can expect to see improvements. T/DCC Cooper highlighted one hypothesis that the force became more adept at recording those dissatisfied as initial increase for complaints was seen last year and has been sustained. There has been no change in the severity of complaints, but efforts will be focussed on ensuring updates for victims. The force is looking to implement a self service tool for victims improving frequency of updates which they hope will improve the service they receive.
Conduct
The force outlined that they had expected to have already seen then spike in conduct offences following Wayne Couzens but the most recent data shows that isn’t the case. T/DCC Cooper added that there are a number of individuals with multiple conduct offences identified through investigation.
The PCC was interested in understanding how technological solutions are used to detect offences particularly around computer misuse and use of police vehicles. The T/DCC was unsure why the workforce continued to commit offences with these systems in place, the force is going to be more overt moving forwards around this.
The PCC flagged that cases occur in different areas of the force and wanted to understand how Chief Officers get oversight that issues are identified and rectified early on. The force provided reassurance of some of the process that are in place locally on local policing areas and how they connect to Chief Officers centrally.
ML briefed the PCC on the current list of officers suspended including upcoming court dates. The PCC sought reassurance that opportunities for pension forfeiture are being explored when appropriate.
Complaint reviews
Despite seeing an increase in overall complaints, the number of complaint reviews remains comparable in Q1 to the same period last year with a reduction seen in those upheld.
Implementation of conduct regulation changes
As part of the agenda the PCC asked for an update following the change to conduct regulations particularly in relation to Chief Officers chairing misconduct hearings. The T/DCC provided assurances around Chief Officers that had undergone training, the role of legally qualified persons and how outcomes will be communicated to the public. The PCC sought additional reassurance to how CPD will be undertaken moving forwards and it was confirmed that this will be incorporated into the existing learning programme.
3. Summary of Action Arising
Actions summarised as above
4. AOB
N/A
