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An Update from the Association of Chief Police Officers

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An Update from the Association of Chief Police Officers An update from the Association Of Chief Police Officers January 2012 A word from ACPO President, Sir Hugh Orde There is no denying that 2011 was an extremely challenging year, and this year is shaping up to be no less challenging. There is a significant degree of ambiguity surrounding the future landscape of the service. Change is most certainly afoot and we must manage that change and make it work. It is the unenviable task of chief constables of balancing budgets, implementing reform, preparing for the future and for the unforeseen. I am therefore pleased to note both the Prime Minister and the Policing Minister’s praise for the steps we have taken to deliver efficiencies whilst mitigating the effect on front- line officers and at the same time still delivering a reduction in crime levels. We will continue to protect the public to the best of our ability with whatever resources at our disposal. For that is our job. Let us be under no illusions - there will be no let up in the pace of change over this coming year. The first Police and Crime Commissioners will be taking up their posts come the autumn; and we are already seeing the first candidates declare their intentions – with varying degrees of plausibility. The NPIA and its functions must be found new and appropriate homes by the end of the year. We must also now seriously consider what shape a professional body may take following the official announcement of its impending creation. There are both opportunities and potential pitfalls ahead and we, as the voice of the service, must ensure we steady the ship during these turbulent times. I have every confidence that the finest police service in the world will face the coming challenges head on and with enthusiasm. The public can take solace in the knowledge that we will make the new landscape for policing work efficiently and effectively for them and keep them safe through 2012. Stephen Lawrence verdict Two men have been convicted of murdering Stephen Lawrence in a racially motivated attack in Eltham, south London, in 1993. Following a six-week trial at the Old Bailey Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of being involved in the unprovoked attack on Stephen as he waited at a bus stop with a friend. Dobson and Norris, who were 17 and 16 at the time of the murder, were sentenced to 14 and 15 year minimum terms respectively. The Attorney General is now reviewing the sentences. The convictions come after a forensic review of the case found significant new scientific evidence on clothing seized from the suspects' homes 18 years ago. Acting Deputy Commissioner Cressida Dick said: "We are very pleased for the family and those who loved Stephen. There have been several investigations over the last 18 years during which the Lawrence family have campaigned tirelessly for justice. This prosecution has depended upon previously unavailable scientific technology and techniques which led to the discovery of the new evidence. "Throughout this inquiry there has been close co-operation between the Metropolitan Police, the CPS and counsel. We have also worked very closely with the Forensic Science Service and LGC Forensics. The Lawrence family were kept informed at all stages of the forensic review and subsequent re-investigation. We pay tribute to Mr and Mrs Lawrence's courage and dignity. They have contributed to major changes within policing, the law and society as a whole." (MPS, 4th January) ACPO lead for equality, diversity and human rights, Chief Constable Stephen Otter, said: “The murder of Stephen Lawrence and its investigation had a profound impact on the police service and transformed how we serve our communities. The way we investigate homicides and support murder victims’ families has improved, as well as a renewed focus being placed on the importance of neighbourhood policing so that we have the trust and confidence of all the communities we serve. “The MacPherson report brought an understanding across the police and criminal justice system that crimes like the murder of Stephen Lawrence – motivated purely by hatred – are different. They cause a great deal of fear among victims and communities and in the years since the report, better support for victims and stronger penalties for perpetrators has resulted in increasing levels of confidence in the police service to tackle and successfully prosecute these kinds of crimes. This work has now extended beyond race, to those crimes perpetrated because of a person’s religion, sexuality, disability or because they are perceived to be transgender. “Within the service, there was an important recognition that we need a workforce that reflects the makeup of our communities. While we recognise there is still more to be done, in 2009 the rate of officer recruitment from black and minority ethnic communities was 7.2%, which reflects the proportion that black and minority ethnic people make up in society. “Much has changed in the police service over the last ten years and while there is still some way to go, the service has shown that it is willing to listen and learn from past events. Where prejudice occurs, there is a firm desire throughout policing, especially within the leadership, to challenge and tackle it robustly.” (ACPO, 4th January) Filkin report on MPS relations with the media published The Elizabeth Filkin advice to the Metropolitan Police Service on relationships with the media was published on Wednesday 4th January. The Ethical Issues arising from the relationship between Police and Media addresses media relationships between the MPS and the media following last summer’s phone hacking issues. Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe and Elizabeth Filkin met representatives of the media at a press conference to share with them the results of the inquiry. One of the report’s main findings was that the leadership of the MPS damaged the force by cultivating relationships with sections of the media and accepting gifts and hospitality. Dame Elizabeth said that she was concerned at the extent to which senior Met figures had “a different set of rules” for dealing with the media than that imposed on other officers and staff. During the course of the inquiry, Filkin met 137 people to collect evidence for the report, including people from the MPS, Metropolitan Police Authority, HMIC, IPCC, journalists, newspaper editors, people in business and politicians. Elizabeth Filkin said: “I found there were a range of problems in the relationship between the MPS and the media and much needs to be done to make the necessary improvements. I am delighted to hear that the MPS is signed up to them. A free press is essential to a democracy as it can provide scrutiny of public institutions, such as the MPS, and is essential in providing information about what the police do. It is critical for policing legitimacy that the MPS are as open and transparent as they can be and the media plays an important part in this. On occasions the MPS has not been open enough in providing the right information to the public.” Recommendations of the report include: A senior team member should champion a new approach to providing public information. Reactive work involving the national press has dominated the agenda - the MPS must make better use of alternative routes for communicating with the public and to release much more information than in the past to both external and internal audiences. Any proposed solution will rely on police officers and police staff 'living' a set of core principles and making judgments about their application. Police contact with the media should be 'permissible but not unconditional.' Police officers and staff are the best ambassadors for the organisation in providing information to the public. They are part of the public they serve. What is needed is clear guidance and accurate, transparent recording. In the past it has not been sufficiently clear to police officers and staff what principles should underpin contact with the media. Where relationships with the media appear partial or selective, this creates a serious problem which is damaging to public confidence and to the MPS. The MPS senior team needs to set a consistent example on the ethical standards they expect. Government announces commitment to ‘professional body’ A new police professional body that supports police officers at all ranks and civilian policing professionals will be set up next year, Home Secretary Theresa May announced in December. In a written ministerial statement on the future of the NPIA’s functions, the Home Secretary said that “as part of the wider reform of policing, I wish to update the House on plans to phase out the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA), to transfer its critical national functions and to establish a police professional body and a new IT company”. (Hansard, 15th December) Home Secretary Theresa May said: “The government is transforming policing for the modern age with the most radical programme of change for more than 50 years. At its core is a new professional body that will develop skills and leadership, enabling the drive to reduce bureaucracy and with greater accountability to the public. Together with directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners and the new National Crime Agency, this is a strong and coherent agenda for reform which will free the police to fight crime at the national and local level, deliver better value for the taxpayer and give the public a stronger voice.” (Home Office, 15th December) ACPO President, Sir Hugh Orde, said: “Modern policing is increasingly difficult, demanding, and delivered by a workforce of police officers and staff with huge commitment and professionalism. To recognize that expertise through a new professional body is a significant opportunity which ACPO welcomes and which could help fight crime and improve our service to the public.
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