The policy explains the Service's stance with regard to professional standards, integrity and investigation. Branch / OCU

Transcription

1 Freedom of Information Act Publication Scheme Protective Marking Not Protectively Marked Publication Scheme Yes No Y/N Title Professional Standards Policy Version Version 3 Summary The policy explains the Service's stance with regard to professional standards, integrity and investigation. Branch / OCU Directorate of Professional Standards Date created June 2010 Review date June 2013

2 Introduction The Metropolitan Police Service has a duty to ensure that professional standards within the service are maintained at the high level expected by the communities that it serves. This policy has been revised to recognise the ethos contained within the Taylor Report and reflected in, inter-alia, The Police Reform Act 2002 (as amended), The Police (Conduct) Regulations 2008 and the Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations Its purpose is to achieve a change of emphasis, from a culture of blame, to one of learning and improvement. This policy and the standard operating procedures that sit under it, seek to ensure that the appropriate processes and procedures are adopted to support and improve professional standards where required. Application All police officers and police staff, including the extended police family and those working voluntarily, or under contract to the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) must be aware of and are required to comply with, all relevant Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) policy and associated procedures. This policy applies to officers and staff when engaged in the assessment and enforcement of professional standards, investigating allegations of misconduct or gross misconduct and public complaints. Specific responsibilities are placed upon the following: All members of the MPS charged specifically with the responsibility for assessing and investigating allegations of misconduct and gross misconduct Professional Standards Champions (PSCs) Persons chairing misconduct meetings Persons chairing misconduct hearings Line managers All officers or staff involved in the misconduct and public complaints process Officers and staff engaged in organisational learning Purpose The policy and its underpinning Standard Operating Procedures seek to mirror the MPS Professional Standards Strategy and its strategic outcomes, which are: To build public/staff trust and confidence in the integrity of the MPS Maintain the highest standards of professional behaviour throughout the MPS policing family; Ensure risks are quickly identified and lessons learnt.

3 Through adherence to these strategic outcomes and treating all members of the MPS with fairness and respect, overall confidence in the MPS should be improved; damage to community relations minimised and the reputation of the MPS enhanced. Scope This policy applies to individual s standards of professional conduct and at the same time seeks to maintain overall organisational integrity through the following processes: Appropriate application of legislation Adherence to common standards of professional behaviour across the service as set out in the Schedule to The Police (Conduct) Regulations Consistency of decision-making via the PSC networks; the Hearings Office; and liaison with HR Practice Support Team where appropriate. Effective leadership and supervision Organisational learning and prevention strategies Policy Statement The MPS and the general public have a right to expect the highest possible standards of MPS members; to act professionally at all times and in accordance with its organisational values and the Policing Pledge. This policy, underwritten primarily by the Police Reform Act, 2002 (as amended), The Police (Conduct) Regulations 2008 and The Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2008, seeks to ensure that all members of the MPS act in accordance with these principles. Standard Operating Principles (SOPs) in support of this policy will: Place learning and prevention at the heart of improving professional By seeking to deal with issues of misconduct and performance at the appropriate operational levels, develop an enhanced level of trust, both internally and externally, in the way the MPS delivers on professional Encourage openness and accountability, subject to responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Act and the Data Protection Act. Benefits This policy and the Standard Operating Procedures that sit under it seek to achieve: An improvement in professional standards, which will be monitored by reference to DPS Performance Analysis Unit (PAU) data and published annually via the Policy Monitoring Report.

4 An enhanced process of handling conduct matters, misconduct and public complaints via the new processes introduced by Police (Conduct) Regulations 2008; amendments to the Police Reform Act 2002 and Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) Statutory Guidelines. A decrease in the number of complainants who remain dissatisfied at the end of the process. An increase in internal satisfaction on the handling of professional An increase in public trust and support. A more proportionate approach to the handling of internal and public complaints. A new ethos with greater emphasis on organisational learning and improvement. A reduction in the number of appeals against outcomes, by ensuring that formal misconduct processes are only used in appropriate cases. Responsibilities Commissioning & Review* Professional Standards Strategic Committee Implementation Directorate of Professional Standards Policy development Directorate of Professional Standards Policy Unit Associated Documents Standard Operating Procedures: Internal Risk Management of Officers and Police Staff the subject of allegations of Domestic Violence and other crimes against Vulnerable Persons Adverse & Judicial Findings Managing Interventions (Under Review - To be replaced by new SOP - Organisational Learning & Intervention) Suspension of Officers Officers Returning to the MPS Police Officers and Special Constables Involved In Legal Proceedings Local Resolution Reporting Wrongdoing Safeguards - Officers Leaving the DPS (Not Published) Attachment of Earnings Orders Civil Actions (Under Review)

5 Death and Serious Injury following Police Contact - Post Incident Procedures Sanction Guidelines Publication of Misconduct Outcomes See also: Performance Management of People Policy People Development Policy Recruitment and Selection Policy MSC Policy Deaths in Custody Manual Investigation of Critical Incidents Manual Item 3, Notices 15/08, of 09 April 2008 (Guidance on financial assistance in Legal Proceedings) The following notice is hereby cancelled: Item 3, Notices 50/06, 20 December 2006