NON EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER INDEPENDENT POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMISSION. Recruitment Information Pack

Transcription

1 NON EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER INDEPENDENT POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMISSION Recruitment Information Pack

2 Contents Welcome Note from Dame Anne Owers, Chair of the Independent Police Complaints Commission 3 About the Independent Police Complaints Commission 5 Role Description 8 Person Specification 10 Terms of Appointment 11 Response Instructions 13 Indicative Timetable 15 Annex A Seven Principles of Public Life 17 Annex B Application Forms (separate attachment) - 2

3 Welcome Note from Dame Anne Owers Chair of the Independent Police Complaints Commission The Independent Police Complaints Commission is a vital part of ensuring public confidence in policing in England and Wales. By investigating deaths and serious injuries following police contact, allegations of corruption and serious complaints against the police, the IPCC plays a key role in ensuring that the British way of policing by consent works effectively. As citizens we allow the police significant powers to intervene in our lives to protect both ourselves and others from harm and to prevent and detect crime. It is therefore vital, when there are allegations or serious concerns about the way the police have carried out their responsibilities, that there is an independent investigation to establish the facts. This is to identify if anything went wrong, and ensure that those responsible are brought publicly to account, and that lessons are learned for the future. The IPCC has established itself effectively in this role over the past ten years. The Commission is currently made up of 10 operational Commissioners, 2 deputy chairs and four non-executive Commissioners. The terms of two of our non-executive Commissioners are ending in May 2015 and we are now seeking to appoint a new non-executive Commissioner to join the Commission. We are an expanding and changing organisation, whose success crucially depends upon developing our existing staff, recruiting many new staff and ensuring that we retain the right culture and values. For that reason, we are seeking a non-executive Commissioner with experience, at senior level, of developing and implementing strategies that maximise the human potential in an organisation undergoing significant change. The fact that Commissioners have both statutory responsibilities for cases and form the nonexecutive board is an unusual structure. It underlines the importance of the non-executive Chair and non-executive Commissioners roles in providing objective scrutiny and taking responsibility for those areas in which full-time Commissioners, because of their operational role, might have a conflict of interest. You will be taking on this role at an exciting time. In February 2013 the Home Secretary signalled her intention to transfer resources from police forces to the IPCC to enable us to investigate serious and sensitive allegations against the police. We are now in the middle of a significant programme of change which includes expanding our workforce to meet the commitment made by the Home Secretary. Expansion involves fundamental changes to our structures and systems and is taking place in the context of what is already a significant change programme, reviewing how we ensure consistency and quality and strengthening the customer focus of our work, particularly in relation to bereaved families and complainants. In addition to our independent investigations into serious allegations, including alleged corruption, deaths and serious injuries, we are currently conducting a major investigation in relation to the tragic events at Hillsborough in This is the biggest investigation that the IPCC has ever undertaken; it is also the largest criminal and misconduct investigation ever conducted into police in England and Wales. It has involved setting up a new office and team, working closely with the Coroner, the CPS and a police team. The external context is also challenging. In the new policing landscape, the IPCC has established relationships with elected Police and Crime Commissioners to ensure an effective 3

4 system of public accountability. We are also building links with the College of Policing to ensure that lessons identified from our work are fed into standards and training. The IPCC performs a role which is central to our democracy. It operates in a highly adversarial and emotionally charged context, subject to intense and often critical public and media scrutiny. We are seeking a truly exceptional person with a human resources background who will relish these challenges, demonstrate independence and lead the IPCC through the next phase of its life. I wish you well in your application. Dame Anne Owers IPCC Chair 4

5 About the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) The IPCC was established by the Police Reform Act 2002 (PRA) and became operational in April Its primary statutory function is to secure and maintain public confidence in the police complaints system in England and Wales. It acts as an appeal body for some locally handled complaints and issues statutory guidance on complaints handling to police forces. It undertakes independent investigations into the most serious cases; and has the power to manage or supervise police investigations. It has a statutory obligation to measure, monitor and where necessary, seek to improve the current complaints system. The IPCC is independent and makes its decisions independently of the police, government and interest groups. The IPCC was created following both public and political concerns about the lack of an independent system to deal with complaints and conduct matters within the police service. Since 2004, the organisation s remit has been extended to include serious complaints and conduct matters relating to staff at the National Crime Agency, Her Majesty s Revenue and Customs and certain staff who carry out border and immigration functions who now work within the UK Border Force and the Home Office. The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 extended the IPCC s remit further. Since January 2012, the IPCC has been responsible for deciding whether any criminal allegations relating to the occupant of the Mayor s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPC) or his Deputy should be investigated. Since November 2012, the IPCC has had a similar remit over all Police and Crime Commissioners and their deputies. The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 gave a statutory remit over all staff who work for the College of Policing and private sector contractors exercising policing functions. What the IPCC does Direct complaints All complaints against the police must be recorded by the relevant police force in the first instance. If complaints are made directly to the IPCC, our role is to pass these on to the relevant police force. In total, the IPCC received 12,825 direct complaints in 2013/14. Police forces, therefore, deal with the majority of complaints against police officers and police staff. The IPCC considers some appeals from people who are dissatisfied with the way a police force has dealt with their complaint. Since November 2012, the responsibility for determining appeals is shared with local police forces. The IPCC received 4,243 appeals in 2013/14. Referrals In addition, police forces must refer the most serious cases whether or not someone has made a complaint to the IPCC. Serious cases include those where there has been a death or serious injury, or allegations of serious assault or serious sexual offence. The IPCC may decide to investigate such cases independently, manage or supervise the police force s investigation, or return it for local investigation. 5

6 Independent investigations IPCC independent investigations are carried out into incidents that cause the greatest public concern, have the greatest impact on communities or have serious implications for the reputation of the police. They are carried out by IPCC investigators and overseen by an IPCC Commissioner. In 2013/14, the IPCC started 109 independent investigations. Building the new IPCC In February 2013, the Home Secretary announced a proposal to transfer resources from police forces to the IPCC, to enable us to carry out more independent investigations into serious and sensitive allegations. The transfer of resources is gradual and began in During , we set up a change programme, which focuses on planning for this transformation. In order to take on a significant increase in independent investigations, we will need to develop into a very difference organisation both in size and scope. Our change programme is ambitious and involves a new operating model and changing the way we are structured and the way we work. Importantly, public confidence does not solely depend on the IPCC taking on more independent investigations. It also depends on the quality of our work, the impact of the work that we do on policing as a whole, and our ability to influence the effective operation of the police complaints system as a whole. Our new operating model is focusing on quality and timeliness as well as quantity, and value for money, with a dedicated assessment function and a sharper focus on meeting the needs of the users and stakeholders and on the impact that our work can make to policing and the police complaints system. Our values The IPCC has five values, which underpin all our work. The values influence plans, service delivery and engagement with complaints, the police and all stakeholders. They are also reflected in the recruitment of staff and commissioners and in the way the organisation is run. Our values are: Justice and respect for human rights Independence Valuing diversity Integrity Openness Structure The Commission is accountable to Parliament through the Home Secretary. The Chair is appointed by the Crown and Commissioners are appointed by the Home Secretary. The IPCC is overseen by a Board that is currently made up of a Chair, ten full-time Commissioners with operational responsibilities and four non-executive Commissioners (the terms of two of the non-executive Commissioners end in May 2015). There are also two 6

7 Associate Commissioners who have only operational duties. The Chair and Commissioners collectively act as the Commission and as the governing Board of the IPCC. Commissioners, under the leadership of the Chair, share responsibility for setting the strategy and values of the IPCC and holding the Executive to account. The Deputy Chairs and eight Commissioners oversee and take ultimate responsibility for our investigations, casework and oversight of the complaints system. Commissioners with operational responsibilities work from one of the four IPCC offices in England and Wales and hold prime responsibility for designated police forces and other agencies subject to our oversight. In making decisions on individual cases, Commissioners act under the delegated authority of the Commission. The non-executive part-time Commissioners have a more traditional non-executive role in providing objective challenge and scrutiny and focussing on governance and accountability. The Executive and organisation The Chief Executive, Lesley Longstone, reports to the Commission. She is responsible for running the organisation and supporting the work of the Commission. She also acts as the IPCC's accounting officer and is accountable to the Home Office principal accounting officer and to parliament. The CEO is currently supported by a management board of four Directors with functional responsibilities for operations, external affairs, resources and change. There is also a head of legal services who reports directly into the CEO. 7

8 Role Description Title: Reports to: Duration: Non-Executive Commissioner Chair This appointment is offered for a fixed term of four years, with the possibility of re-appointment subject to satisfactory performance. Time Commitment: Expected to be at least 24 per annum. (This may be extended for specific purposes agreed with the Chair to no more than 36 days) Remuneration: 350 per day Commissioners collectively, acting as the Commission, are the Board of the IPCC and responsible for its governance. The Commission must ensure the organisation meets its statutory obligations to secure and maintain public confidence in the police complaints system and complies with the policies and guidance that may apply from time to time. This collective responsibility includes setting policy and strategy relating to the Commission s governance, oversight and operational functions. All Commissioners individual decisions and actions are carried out on behalf of the Commission as a whole. Most IPCC Commissioners have a full time operational role, overseeing and making decisions about individual cases, and liaising with forces and other external stakeholders, as well as acting as the IPCC's Board. This is an unusual structure, hence the importance of the nonexecutive role in providing objective scrutiny and taking responsibility for those areas in which full time Commissioners, because of their operational role, might have a conflict of interest. Role and responsibilities The new non-executive Commissioner will have specific responsibility for advice and governance in relation to the IPCC s strategies for human resources, including talent and performance management. In addition, he or she will have the following responsibilities shared with other members of the Commission. With all other Commissioners Acting as the Board of the IPCC; attending and preparing for formal and informal Commission meetings taking place over two days every two months; Setting the IPCC s values, strategies, policies, protocols and delegation levels in relation to its governance, oversight and operational functions; Agreeing its Corporate and Business Plans; Monitoring the implementation of Commission strategies and policies and holding the Executive to account in the delivery of its Business and Corporate Plan; Ensuring that the IPCC acts in accordance with the relevant legislation, Home Office and other government policies and requirements and recognised best practice for NDPBs; Serving on such committees or carrying out individual governance responsibilities which may be agreed by the Commission from time to time; 8

9 Acting at all times in accordance with the values of the IPCC, the Commissioner Code of Conduct and Standards in Public Life. Responsibilities specific to Non-Executive Commissioners Chairing/attending key governance committees Undertaking independent reviews of process and procedure when required; Advising the Commission and CEO on suitable scrutiny and audit arrangements and providing appropriate non-executive oversight of those arrangements; Ensuring that the Commission exercises good corporate governance in line with the Nolan principles; Promoting best practice throughout the organisation in terms of financial accountability and risk management. Key relationships Internally Non-executive Commissioners will be expected to have effective working relationships with colleagues, the Chief Executive and Directors and the staff with whom they work to discharge their responsibilities. Externally As agreed with the Chair, and commensurate with their other duties, non-executive Commissioners may be expected to maintain and develop effective relationships with specific external stakeholders at senior levels. Reporting arrangements The Commission is accountable to Parliament through the Home Secretary. Non-executive Commissioners report to the Chair in respect of their personal conduct, performance and discharge of their governance responsibilities. 9

10 Person Specification All candidates will be required to demonstrate in their written applications and at interview how they meet the requirements of this post. The criteria that will be used to assess whether candidates have the required qualities, skills and experience are listed below. You must give examples in your application demonstrating how you meet each of the requirements: We are open-minded about the background of the person we will appoint to this role. Professional Skills and Experience Significant experience of developing and implementing human resources and people strategies at senior executive or board level in a large and complex, and ideally a changing/expanding, organisation. Able to apply best practice in corporate governance at Board level. Able to contribute to the development of a sound strategic direction of a complex organisation, challenging constructively and influencing decision making. Understanding of the IPCC s role in relation to public confidence in the police complaints system. Experience of working in a diverse environment. Personal Qualities Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a personal and professional demeanour that generates trust and confidence in others. Ability to think logically and objectively in analysing complex information in order to identify key issues and make effective decisions. Undisputed personal integrity. 10

11 Terms of Appointment The information offered in this document is supplied in good faith but does not in itself form any part of the terms of appointment. Appointment Term: Your appointment as a Non-Executive Commissioner of the Independent Police Complaints Commission will be made by the Home Secretary. The appointment will be for a fixed period of four years. Reappointments can be made at the end of the period of office for a further term at the discretion of Ministers, subject to a satisfactory appraisal of performance and mutual agreement. It should be noted that this post is a public appointment; Non-Executive Commissioners are neither employees of the crown nor of the IPCC. Such appointments are not normally subject to the provisions of employment law. Appointments may be terminated prior to the conclusion of the period of appointment. Time Commitment: The time commitment for this role is expected to be at least 24 days but no more than 36 days per annum, unless agreed in advance with the Chair, based on two days per month (meetings and preparatory work). Remuneration: Members will receive a day rate of 350 per day. The remuneration is taxable through the payroll but the appointment is not pensionable. Location: Due to the nature of the role, the non-executive Commissioner may be home based. Most Board meetings will take place at the IPCC Head Office in London but some will be held at IPCC regional offices (Wakefield, Sale, Warrington, Birmingham and Cardiff). Preparatory work will also be necessary. Members can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel costs necessarily incurred on IPCC business at rates set centrally. Availability: The successful candidate will be encouraged to take up their appointment as soon as possible, subject to the successful completion of pre-appointment checks and security clearance. Security clearance: The successful candidate will be required to have or be willing to obtain security clearance to at least Basic Clearance (BC) security level. Pre-appointment checks will also be undertaken on immigration and criminal convictions. It usually takes between 2-5 weeks to obtain the security clearance. The role will be offered on a conditional basis until the successful candidate has passed all checks. Nationality: This is a non reserved post and therefore open to UK Nationals, British Nationals Overseas, British Protected Persons, Commonwealth Citizens, EEA Nationals of other member states and certain non EEA family members and Swiss Nationals under the Swiss EU Agreement. There must be no employment restriction or time limit on your permitted stay in the UK. In order to confirm your eligibility for this post, please complete the Nationality form at the end of this candidate pack which asks for information regarding this. You will not be asked to produce the evidence stated at the application stage but you will be required to do so should you be invited to the final panel interview. 11

12 Disqualifications for appointment: There are circumstances in which an individual will not be considered for appointment: they have worked for the police in any capacity, been the chairperson or a member of staff of the Serious Organised Crime Agency or the National Policing Improvement Agency, a member of the National Crime Agency, a member of the National Crime Intelligence Service or the National Crime Squad, a Commissioner or an officer of Customs at any time prior to appointment as a non-executive commissioner; they have been convicted of a criminal offence and that conviction is not spent for the purposes of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 at the time of application; they are an undischarged bankrupt or their estate has been sequestrated and it has not been discharged, or they have made an arrangement with their creditors, or they are subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order; they are disqualified from acting as a company director; in certain circumstances, where they have been removed from trusteeship of a charity; and in certain circumstances, where they have had an earlier term of appointment terminated. Standards in public life: You will be expected to demonstrate high standards of corporate and personal conduct. Candidates will be expected to abide by the Seven Principles of Public Life set out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life (Annex A). Registration of interests: The purpose of these provisions is to avoid any danger of IPCC Commissioners being influenced, or appearing to be influenced, by their private interests in the exercise of their public duties. Public appointments require the highest standards of propriety, involving impartiality, integrity and objectivity, in relation to the stewardship of public funds and the oversight and management of all related activities. This means that any private, voluntary, charitable, or political interest which might be material and relevant to the work of the body concerned should be declared. It is important, therefore, that you consider your circumstances when applying for a public appointment and identify any potential conflicts of interest, whether real or perceived. There is a requirement to declare any actual or potential conflict of interest you may have in being appointed to the IPCC Board in a separate form. Any actual or perceived conflicts of interest will be fully explored by the Panel at interview stage. Political activity: Commissioners will need to show political impartiality during their time on the Board. During the term of appointment, Commissioners are not expected to occupy paid party political posts or hold particularly sensitive or high roles in a political party. Details of the successful candidate s declared political activity must be published by appointing departments when the appointments are publicised. The (online) Political Activity Declaration will be kept separate from your application and will only be seen by the Panel prior to interview the Panel may at that stage explore with candidates any potential for conflict of interest. It is appreciated that political activities may have given you relevant skills, including experience gained from committee work, collective decision 12

13 making, resolving conflict and public speaking. If, therefore, you have had such experience and you consider it relevant to your application for this post, you may if you choose include it separately in the main body of your application. 13

14 Response Instructions If you wish to apply for these positions, please supply the following by noon on Monday 2 nd February 2015: A comprehensive CV setting out your career history and including details of any professional qualifications. A short supporting statement (maximum two sides A4, minimum 11 font) giving evidence of the strength and depth of your ability to meet the essential criteria for the roles. Please provide specific examples to demonstrate how you meet each of the experience, qualities and skill areas identified in the person specification. The names and contact details for two referees. These must be people who know you in a professional capacity to comment on your suitability for the post. They will be expected to have authoritative and personal knowledge of your achievements. Referees will not be contacted without your prior agreement. Please also complete and return via the following. Copies of these forms can be found at Annex B, apart from the Equal Opportunities Monitoring form. Equal opportunities monitoring form. Conflicts of interest form. Political activity declaration form. Interview Access Scheme form (if required). Further details on this scheme can be found below. Nationality form. Completed applications should be ed to publicappointments@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk by Noon on Monday 2 nd February If you cannot apply online, please post applications to: Public Appointments Team Home Office 2 Marsham Street Ground Floor Seacole London SW1P 4DF Further Information: If you have any queries about any aspect of this role, or wish to have an informal discussion, then please contact Anna O Rourke on or anna.orourke@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk. If you wish to discuss any aspect of the public appointments process for this role, then please contact Lindsey Marks on or Lindsey.Marks4@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk or Jason Marday on or Jason.Marday@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk. 14

15 Equal Opportunities Monitoring: The IPCC is committed to providing equal opportunities for all, irrespective of race, age, disability, gender, marital status, religion, sexual orientation and transgender. All candidates are requested to complete an online Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. This will help us to monitor selection decisions to assess whether equality of opportunity is being achieved. The information on the form will be treated as confidential, and used for statistical purposes only. This form will not be disclosed to anyone involved in assessing your application. Interview Access Scheme for Disabled Persons: As a member of the Employers Forum on Disability, we are committed to actively encouraging applications from people with disabilities. Applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview if they meet the minimum criteria for the appointment, as outlined in the relevant role description. Declaring a disability for the purposes of a guaranteed interview is your decision and is entirely voluntary. A copy of the form can be found at Annex B (separate document). Whether you choose to apply under the Interview Access Scheme or not you can still ask us to make particular arrangements for you when attending an interview. You can also contact us if you want to discuss the criteria for the role or have questions regarding your application. Data Protection: As this appointment is made by the Home Secretary, the competition is being managed by the Home Office. The Home Office takes its obligations under the Data Protection Act seriously and any data about you linked to your application for this role will be held in secure conditions with access restricted to those who need it in connection with dealing with your application and the selection process. Data may also be used for the purposes of monitoring the effectiveness of the recruitment process, but in these circumstances will be kept anonymous. The ethnic monitoring form is used for monitoring the selection process only. If you do not wish to have these details recorded please return the form uncompleted. The Commissioner for Public Appointments regulates and monitors appointments to public bodies to ensure procedures are fair. We are required by the Commissioner for Public Appointments to retain information about the people who apply for public appointments within his remit, and make this information available to him for audit purposes, if requested to do so. Information you provide in your application may therefore be made available to the Commissioner for Public Appointments and the Commissioner s auditors on a confidential basis in order to help fulfil the Commissioner s formal complaints investigation role and for audit purposes. Our data protection policy is in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act and the requirements of the Commissioner s Code of Practice. The Commissioner s requirements relating to the information we collect about applicants are set out below: Your initial contact details, including your name and address will be held by the Home Office for a period of at least 2 years. If you submit an application form, the form and any supporting documentation will be retained for at least 2 years. Information held electronically, including your contact details and the monitoring information which you provide will also be held for at least 2 years. If you would like these details to be removed from our records as soon as this recruitment exercise is complete, please contact Jason Marday on

16 Indicative Timetable Please note that these dates could be subject to change. Please let us know in your application letter if you are unable to meet these timeframes. Advert Closing Date Noon on Monday 2 nd February 2015 Short List Meeting Week commencing 2 nd February Briefing Meetings for Shortlisted Candidates Weeks commencing 9 th and 16 th February Final Panel Interviews Week commencing 23 rd February Meeting with Minister (if required) Post interview Selection Process This role is being competed in accordance with the Code of Practice (April 2012) 1, which sets out the regulatory framework for public appointments processes. The Code is based on three core principles merit, openness and fairness. The competition will be chaired by Dame Anne Owers (IPCC, Chair). The selection panel will consist of Sarah Green (Deputy Chair, IPCC), Sheila Drew Smith OBE (independent panel member) and a Home Office Director. The Home Office Public Appointments Team will acknowledge your application and keep you updated on the progress of the competition. At the short-listing meeting the selection panel will assess each application against the essential criteria and decide who to invite for final panel interview. Shortlisted candidates will have the opportunity to meet with selected members of the IPCC Board prior to the interview to learn more about the organisation and the role. Interviews are expected to take place in central London and will last for around 45 minutes. Further details about the format will be provided to you in advance. The decision to appoint to this role rests with the Home Secretary. Appointable candidates may be invited to meet with the Home Secretary, or another Home Office Minister, before she makes a final decision. The Prime Minister will then be approached to agree the appointment. As a result there may be a delay in informing candidates of the outcome of the competition. As the responsibility for appointing non-executive Commissioners to the IPCC rests with the Home Secretary, the recruitment campaign is being managed by the Home Office Public

17 Appointments Team. However, in accordance with the independence of the IPCC, the decisions and actions taken by non-executive Commissioners remain independent of the Home Office. Please note: Expenses incurred by candidates during the recruitment process will not be reimbursed except in exceptional circumstances and only when agreed in advance with the Home Office Public Appointments Team. Complaints If you are not completely satisfied with the way your application is handled at any stage of the competition, please raise any complaint in the first instance with: Lindsey Marks Public Appointments Team Home Office Ground Floor, Seacole Building 2 Marsham Street London, SW1P 4DF Lindsey.Marks4@homeoffice.gsai.gov.uk We will reply to your complaint within 20 days. If, after receiving our response you are still not satisfied, you may contact the Commissioner for Public Appointments: The Commissioner for Public Appointments Room G/8, Ground Floor 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ Tel: The Commissioner for Public Appointments regulates and monitors appointments to public bodies to ensure procedures are fair. More information about the role of the Commissioner and his Code of Practice is available from: Information about the Commissioner s policy and manner in which complaints are investigated are set out in the Commissioner s leaflet Your Guide to Making a Complaint about a Public Appointments Process which can be found at: 17

18 Seven Principles of Public Life ANNEX A The principles of public life apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder. This includes all those who are elected or appointed to public office, nationally and locally, and all people appointed to work in the civil service, local government, the police, courts and probation services, NDPBs, and in the health, education, social and care services. All public office-holders are both servants of the public and stewards of public resources. The principles also have application to all those in other sectors delivering public services. Selflessness Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their family or their friends. Integrity Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties. Objectivity In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit. Accountability Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office. Openness Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands. Honesty Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest. Leadership Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example. 18