Minutes:
In accordance with Procedure Rule 11 (General Questions from Members of the Panel), the following questions were put with responses from the Police and Crime Commissioner:
Mr. Alan Carter, a Co-opted Independent Member of the Panel, had submitted the following question:
“My question arises from some information that I have which relates to the Government having opened bidding to a £15m fund with the intention of providing health based places of safety to stop the practice of those in mental health crisis being held in police cells. I am anxious to know if the Commissioner is concerned about current practice and is aware of this initiative. I would ask if, in the interests of the people of South Yorkshire generally, he will be actively encouraging the South Yorkshire Police to support a bid for a proportion of this funding for allocation to South Yorkshire, thereby significantly reducing the need in South Yorkshire for the use of police cells and vehicles for this purpose.”
The Police and Crime Commissioner responded:
“I am aware of the £15 million fund available to provide health and community based places of safety, in order to prevent vulnerable people being held in police cells. However this funding has not come directly to Police and Crime Commissioners.
South Yorkshire Police and I fully support this initiative. A number of bids are currently being developed and discussed at the Countywide Strategic Mental Health Partnership Board and such bids have already received my full support.”
Mr Alan Carter submitted a further question for the Police and Crime Commissioner:
“Does the Commissioner see any relevance in this arrangement in the NHS to addressing the not entirely dissimilar situations (of unacceptable levels of care and a culture which deters staff from raising genuine concerns) which can and do arise in the Police Service? And could he envisage the similar appointment of a National Guardian, to promote and reinforce best practice in supporting police staff (uniformed and civilian) to speak up safely through a network of Freedom to Speak Up Guardians (which, at a local Force level, conceivably might be Police and Crime Commissioners and/or their Deputies)?”
The Police and Crime Commissioner provided the following response:
“I do see the relevance of work undertaken by the NHS in relation to staff being deterred from raising genuine concerns about poor care and dangerous practices.
In January this year, the draft National Policy and Guidance about Reporting Concerns (Whistleblowing) released by the College of Policing was presented to my Independent Ethics Panel for comment prior to being rolled out in the Force. The Independent Ethics Panel has a role and there is a protocol which sets out the process Panel members should follow if they are approached by a member of South Yorkshire Police wishing to challenge or report improper behaviour.
Officers and members of police staff also report concerns directly and confidentially to my office and these are treated sensitively and seriously, usually by my Chief Executive and/or the Chair of my Independent Ethics Panel. Concerns reported to my office anonymously are also considered and any issues which need to be raised with the Chief Constable and Senior Leadership Group, and action taken, are so raised.”
Councillor Robert Frost submitted the following question:
“Could Dr Billings outline his plan for South Yorkshire Police moving forward to regain the trust of the public. Will Dr Billings lobby the Home Secretary forcefully to have any costs of an enquiry into Orgreave funded centrally? Many people in the area were not born at the time and should not suffer police cuts as a result. Other forces were also involved in policing the dispute and I believe the Tory Government at the time was complicit in decisions taken.”
In response, the Police and Crime Commissioner stated:
“Dealing first with the question about the policing of events at the Orgreave coking plant in 1984, I am currently talking to the Interim Chief Constable, the Truth and Justice Campaign and the Home Office about a way forward, particularly over the matter of making the archives held by the Force publicly available. I have, of course, said publicly many times that I support an independent review or public inquiry into Orgreave.
It is well known that policing at Orgreave was provided by a number of forces in the country and, if this is to be the subject of an enquiry this should be seen as a national issue and funded by central government. One of the lessons from Hillsborough is that the only way to establish all the facts and for justice to be done is for the Force to be fully open and to do everything possible to ensure that any enquiry is both thorough and swift.
The Interim Chief Constable and I have already requested a meeting with the Home Secretary to discuss a range of issues facing South Yorkshire Police. I am hopeful of constructive discussions; the Home Secretary has already been receptive to previous approaches I have made for funding, and supportive following recent events.
In terms of my plan for South Yorkshire Police moving forward, in order to regain the trust and confidence of the public, there are a number of strands of work that have been initiated by the Interim Chief Constable and myself:
· College of Policing Peer Support with a team currently in Force led by DCC Andy Rhodes (of Lancashire Constabulary).
· Support in Examining the Financial Position of the Force
· Exploring different approaches to issues relating to Hillsborough – potential prosecutions, misconduct proceedings and civil claims
· Exploring the best approach to Orgreave
· Support to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner with two projects – peer support aimed at strengthening my ‘holding to account’ arrangements, and a commissioned research project aimed at restoring public trust and confidence.
Finally, it is important to grasp the opportunity presented by the national support being made available and the arrival of a new Chief Constable to demonstrate to the public that the Force is willing to learn the lessons of recent events, especially the child sexual exploitation scandals and the Hillsborough Inquests, and to listen to victims, survivors, families and other interested groups who can help the Force begin the fundamental culture change necessary.”
Councillor Otten submitted the following question:
“Do you and did you approve of the timing of the Acting Chief Constable’s statement on Orgreave, being the day before the Police and Crime Commissioner election, in contravention of the spirit of ‘purdah’?”
The Police and Crime Commissioner responded as follows:
“Councillor Otten is mistaken as to the date. The Interim Chief Constable made his statement on the day of the election so he did not contravene the spirit of ‘purdah’. I did not know the Interim Chief Constable was going to make his statement. However, I do agree with his sentiments. South Yorkshire Police must approach the whole matter of Orgreave with the spirit of openness and cooperation.”
Councillor Otten submitted a further question to the Police and Crime Commissioner:
“Given the Home Office guidance on the ‘legal high’ ban wherein the legality of buying whipped cream and antifreeze seems to depend on how old you are and what time of day it is, are you confident that police will be able to enforce this law in a fair and proportionate manner?”
In response, the Police and Crime Commissioner stated:
“I would expect South Yorkshire Police to enforce all laws in a fair and appropriate manner.
South Yorkshire Police has provided the following information:
“The new Psychoactive Substances Act provides a blanket ban on the production, supply and import of new psychoactive substances. The Act covers psychoactive substances which create a psychoactive effect by stimulating or depressing the person’s central nervous system, effecting their mental functioning or emotional state. It does however, contain certain exemptions which include controlled drugs, medicinal products, nicotine and tobacco products, caffeine and food (including drink).
The legislation came into effect on 26 May 2016 and has since, changed the way forces tackle the issue of psychoactive substances.
This Act is policed in a practical manner adopting a common sense approach and provides a variety of options to police forces to ensure it is enforced correctly. This includes, but is not limited to; powers to seize and destroy psychoactive substances, search persons, premises and vehicles and enter premises by warrant if necessary. There are provisions for civil sanctions: prohibition notices and prohibition orders — to enable the police and local authorities to adopt a proportionate response to the supply of 'legal highs' in appropriate cases. South Yorkshire Police are committed to reducing the harm caused by all drugs and are working with partner agencies to ensure prevention, education and health services all play a vital role in tackling psychoactive substances.”