Minutes:
Consideration was given to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s ‘State of the Nation’ Briefing, which was circulated at the meeting and set out a number of key areas of activity and development for South Yorkshire Police.
The Commissioner reported that public concerns around the performance of South Yorkshire Police’s call handling service were raised at most public engagement events and feature in much of the correspondence that he received. It was noted that South Yorkshire Police, in collaboration with Humberside Police, were implementing a new contact management information system, which would replace outdated technology by the summer of 2017 and bring about improvements in the call handling service. It was reported that the force would engage with the public and stakeholders to help design the new contact management service.
With regard to neighbourhood policing, the Commissioner reported that the Interim Chief Constable had made it clear that the re-introduction of the model would be at the centre of the future policing offer. This would not involve reinstating the old safer neighbourhood model, but would be a model which considered the police role in neighbourhood delivery and built upon partnerships, was affordable and fit for the future. Again, it was noted that consultation and communication with the public would at the heart of the approach, along with the views of staff across the force.
It was noted that the Home Secretary had not made a decision in respect of calls for a public inquiry into the ‘Battle of Orgreave’, but a decision was expected by the end of October 2016.
The Commissioner further reported that the College of Policing was conducting a review of South Yorkshire Police against the recommendations made in the Jay, Casey and Drew reviews. It was noted that Professor Drew had also been asked to work with the College of Policing to quality assure the process and ensure engagement with partners was taking place.
Two updates were provided by the Commissioner in respect of Operation Clover. It was reported that four men and one woman had been jailed for over 102 years on 26 February for the child sexual exploitation (CSE) of 15 girls in Rotherham, whilst another woman received an 18 month sentence, suspended for two years. It was further reported that eight men had been found guilty of CSE offences committed in Rotherham.
Reference was made to the appointment of an Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner on a fixed-term contract, which will end two months after the existing Police and Crime Commissioner’s term of office comes to an end. It was noted that the preferred candidate had been appointed on a part time contract following a full recruitment and selection process. It was reported that the main focus of the Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner would be to:
· Develop and lead a project to attain a baseline of public trust and confidence in South Yorkshire Police, which will involve the commissioning of an independent organisation to carry out the work and project manage the process
· Ensure public engagement and consultation forms part of the Force’s service design of the new local policing model (neighbourhood policing) and the contact management system (101)
· Assist the Police and Crime Commissioner with his diary commitments and represent him and his views at various public and partner meetings across the county and to bring back public concerns and comments to the attention of the Commissioner and the Engagement Team, and
· Work with local policing teams to ensure that opportunities for engaging communities are maximised.
It was reported that Chief Constable David Crompton’s resignation was received on 29 September 2016 following the Commissioner’s call for his resignation under the Section 38 process of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. It was noted that Mr Crompton had applied for permission to judicially review the Commissioner’s decision in the High Court and a decision to grant permission would be made follow the Commissioner’s response.
Finally, the Commissioner reported that Mr Stephen Watson had commenced as Interim Chief Constable on 25 July 2016 and had begun to build his senior leadership group, having appointed a new Assistant Chief Constable, Mr Mark Roberts from Cheshire Constabulary. It was also reported that work was being undertaken to develop a new Strategic Delivery Plan which would involve key senior managers in the Force and would involve wider consultation with the workforce, the public and partners.
The Panel queried whether the change of Chief Constable had been the origin of the change in the neighbourhood policing approach. In response, the Commissioner indicated that he had been presented with concerns across the Force area and he had challenged this with the former Chief Constable. The Peer Review in the spring of 2016 had confirmed the position and the new Chief Constable. The public would be involved in developing the new neighbourhood approach through the Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner. It was recognised that there was an urgent need to prioritise the development of a new model and there would be a need for local authorities and other bodies to be involved in that conversation.
With regard to the appointment of the Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner, the Panel were keen to understand the logic behind the appointment of an Assistant, rather than a Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner. Reference was also made to the Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner’s previous role as Chair of the Police and Crime Panel until May 2016 and the potential conflict of interest that presented. In response, the Commissioner confirmed that he did not want another elected representative, but rather someone to undertake work with a range of experiences in the context of a politically restricted role. The Commissioner explained that the post holder’s previous experience as Chair of the Panel would be helpful.
Reflecting on the recruitment process for the Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner, the Panel identified that it would be beneficial to develop a strong working relationship and understanding between itself and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in order to be a more effective “critical friend” and contribute to the improvement of policing and community safety across South Yorkshire.
Resolved:-
That officers from the host authority for the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner prepare a joint Memorandum of Understanding detailing the governance relationship between the Panel and the Commissioner and setting out working protocols to enable closer working.