Northumbria Police
NORTHUMBRIA POLICE
MINUTES
Title Meeting Number
Strategic Management Board06/2016
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DateLocationDuration
15June2016 Conference Rooms A & B 13:05 – 15:05
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Present:
Chief Constable Ashman (Chair)
Deputy Chief Constable Keenen
Assistant Chief Constable Best
Assistant Chief Constable Farrell
Ms Snaith, Chief Executive Officer, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner
D/Chief Inspector Anderson – Special Branch
Superintendent Bent – Staff Office
Mr Godden – Corporate Development Department
Temporary Chief Superintendent Hall – Safeguarding
Chief Inspector Hall – Programme of Change
Mr Heslop – Prosecution and Victims Services
Superintendent Huddleston– Programme of Change
Chief Inspector Hutton - Professional Standards Department
Superintendent Mitchell – Strategic Corporate Communications
Temporary Superintendent Musgrove – Northern Area Command
Temporary Chief Superintendent Noble – Southern Area Command
Mrs Pilling – Communication Department
Inspector Robson – Staff Office
Mr Woodward – ICT Department
Mrs Bell - Executive Support
Invitees:
Apologies:
Ms Baird, Police and Crime Commissioner
Temporary Detective Chief Superintendent Barton – Head of Crime and Criminal Justice Department
Ms Lawson – Human Resources Department
Chief Superintendent Neill – Operations Department
Temporary Chief Superintendent Patsalos – Communications Department
Temporary Chief Superintendent Stavers – Northern Area Command
PART 1 - OPEN SESSION UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000
1. OPENING
The Chair opened the meeting and thanked members for their attendance.
2. MINUTES OF THE OPEN SESSION OF STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT BOARD HELD ON 18MAY2016.
Minutes were agreed as a true and accurate record.
3. ACTIONS FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Action sheet updated accordingly.
Actions 1-4 – Complete and discharged
Action 5 - RWD - Interim summary report to be presented at SMB June 2016.
Head of Corporate Development gave a verbal update on the interim position of RWD. He explained that satisfaction levels are extremely high and that compliance with crime recordingstandards are high The proportion of incidents dealt with by RWD is 6.6% withthe majority of incidents being resolved by the RWD team. Further work is tobe completedaround the assessment/evaluation of the absent and missing categoryand an assessment of the application of Thrive is to be carried out. A full update will be provided in September.
The Chair explained that he is extremely happy with the work that has been carried out and that RWD is being very well led andthe staff are very professional and working well as a team. He reiterated that the whole direction in which the force is moving is centred around providing a better service to those who need it most. He explained that to do this, processes and procedures will need to change and RWD is pivotal in what we do and how this can be achieved.
The Chair asked that a formal timeline be pulled together to track progress.
Action 6 – included in data – discharged.
Action 7 – included in agenda – discharged.
Action 8 - Head of Crime to verify the information in respect of the reduction in charging rates for domestic abuse/hate crimes.
Mr Heslop confirmed that the data has been looked at and the referrals to CPS and charging remain constant. Action discharged.
Action 9 - Complete and discharged.
4.Performance – Presentation
Head of Corporate Development summarised the previously circulated presentationhighlighting the key areas.
ASB
Assistant Chief Constable Farrell (ACC) explained the follow up calls to every ASB victim has been stopped which may have influenced satisfaction. ACC Farrell informed members that the whole process is being reviewed and processes put in place to ensure repeat/vulnerable victims will get follow up. She explained that measures would be put in place to assist in the service recovery.
Victim’s Journey
A discussion took place around the victim’s journey and waiting times. It was agreed that call handlers need to make resources fully aware when victims are vulnerable and that resource handlers need to be more proactive and monitor resource availability to ensure the vulnerable are the priority.
The Chair reiterated that staff need to be reminded that vulnerable victims should be prioritised.
A discussion took place around the issue of follow up and that staff and supervision should be challenged around how victims are being contacted and kept up to date and supervision checks should be in place.
Safeguardingthe Vulnerable - Pursue
Head of Corporate Development explained that a series of assessments are to be carried out around investigative standards of hate crime, domestic abuse and sexual offences.
Head of Corporate Development explained that a review of 50 harm reduction plans has taken place. The majority of them are to a highstandard, however,there is someorganisational learning. DCC Keenen thanked area commanders for their assistance in the release of staff to assist with these types of reviews.
Head of Corporate Development highlighted the reduction in charge rate for domestic abuse.He explained that CDD has looked at whether one of the reasons for this reduction was the impact and compliance with NCRS and the increase in the record of low level domestic abuse crimes. There does seem to be a correlation and the proposal is to carry out some discretework around investigation and the correlationof DV relating crime.
5.Community Consultation, Engagement and Campaigns
5.iPublic Insight
Head of Corporate Development gave his update on the current activity around public insight. The present focus being on supporting the Stop and Search action plan and understanding the impact of stop and search on young people in the BME communities. CDD are also supporting the work being led by ACC Farrell around victims’ satisfaction and looking at the victims’ journey.
5.ii Public Communications
Temporary Head of Corporate Communications gave a verbal update highlighting some of the current issues within Corporate Communications.
Correspondence has been received from the College of Policing in respect of developing relationships with the media and ensuing that the right people are put forward to communicate issues in the media.
A number of requests have been received to create Facebook accounts. The legality and how these are managed is being looked into.
The Volunteers and Safeguarding of Sex Workers conferences have both taken place and been very well received by attendees.
Upcomingevents include the presentation evening on the 21st June at the Discovery Museum the next one arranged for Septemberwill be held at the Glass Works in Sunderland.
There are a few TV productions in the pipeline these being Car Wars, 60 minutes to Catch a Killer (focussing on how NP investigate homicides), possible work with Panorama, BBC and Rip Off Britain.
6.HER MAJESTY’S INSPECTORATE OF CONSTABULARY
(i)HMIC Inspection Update
Written updates noted.
(ii) HMIC Inspection Plan – Update against Stop and Search Action Plan
Written updated noted.
7.STRATEGIC RISK MANAGEMENT
Head of Corporate Development talked through the previously circulated update in respect of Strategic Risk Management. He asked members to note that there had been some amendments to risks and that risk regarding our response tosevere weather had been removed. He asked that any new risks be escalated to ensure the risk register is an active document and risks managed appropriately.
8.ANY OTHER BUSINESS
On behalf of SMB members the Chair thanked Chief Superintendent Laura Young for all her hard work within Northumbria Police and wished her well in her retirement.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 15.05.
9.DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
Wednesday July20th 13:00, Conference Rooms – Block 69
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