Official Title of Meeting: Professional Committee Date: 13 th September 2017 Time: 11:00 14:00 Venue: Novotel London City South, 53-61 Southwark Bridge Rd, SE1 9HH. Attending Members Organisation Rachel Tuffin College Interim Chief Executive (Chair) Giles York Workforce Development & Integrity Community Chair Olivia Pinkney Uniformed Policing Community Chair Stephen Kavanagh Crime & Criminal Justice Community Chair Stephen Mold Northamptonshire Police & Crime Commissioner Sara Thornton, Alec Wood & Simon Cole NPCC Andy Fittes, Hayley Aley, Dave Bamber. Police Federation of England and Wales David Pedrick-Friend ASSCO Paul Griffiths Police Superintendents Association Steve Smart NCA Cat McIntyre APCC Apologies: Caryl Nobbs, George Hamilton, Martyn Underhill, Andy Rhodes. Other Attendees Neil Basu Metropolitan Police, Phil Kay Leicestershire Police, Karen Pinfold & Elaine Parker Police Federation of England and Wales College: Oliver Cattermole, David Tucker, Sam Peach, Nerys Thomas, Brian Davies, Giselle Lockett, Harbinder Dhaliwal, Faye Bosworth, Jayshree Vekria Item 1: Minutes and Actions of Previous Meeting 1.1 The minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed and agreed. Item 2: Counter Terrorism Update (Neil Basu) 2.1 Members were briefed on current counter terrorism (CT) policing challenges and the changing landscape. The current levels of activity show a shift in tempo rather than a spike in activity and has necessitated a change in operating methods as the nature of actual and potential attacks becomes increasingly diverse. DAC Basu emphasised the role the whole of policing plays in fighting terrorism, highlighting the link between intelligence services, CT policing, local policing and communities. Members were updated on key areas of focus as part of the current CT review which will include a review of resourcing and funding issues at national and local levels. 2.2 Members discussed the implications on local policing and Prevent teams and sought reassurance that frontline staff will be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to deal with future threats. The College will ensure that this knowledge is embedded within the National Policing Curriculum, CPD and the College s ongoing work on vulnerability. ACTION: The College to review the initial National Policing Curriculum to ensure relevant and up-to-date knowledge and information on identifying and dealing with counter terrorism at a local level is included. Item 3: Workforce Transformation (Sam Peach) 3.1 The Committee was provided with an overview of proposed and ongoing national work on workforce transformation, the link and interdependencies between initiatives Agenda Item no [1] Page 1 of 5
and timetable for implementation. A draft strategic narrative and timeline was shared with the Committee, who were asked to provide comment on both documents. 3.2 Members were supportive of both the narrative and timeline, as a first step towards showing the building blocks for turning the Policing Vision 2025 into reality. Key points raised by members included: Questions around how the initiatives where themed together and the potential need for further debate around the 6 key pillars within the narrative. Discussion on the consultation process. There was a call for a systemised approach towards consultation and engagement by the Superintends Association and the Police Federation, to ensure that the correct process for each are followed correctly and kept separate. It was suggested that the College should set out its approach to consultation and engagement. Emphasised the importance for chief constables to undertake PDRs ACTION: College to set out its approach to consultation in supporting the development of workforce initiatives and wider work. Item 4: NPCC Work Supporting Funding Requirements for Policing (Sara Thornton) 4.1 Members were updated on work being led by the NPCC Finance Coordination Committee and the APCC, to prepare an evidence based position on the funding requirements for policing. Work to develop a core narrative has begun and will seek to engage with Home Office and Treasury colleagues. It will focus on what has changed since the last spending review, including: changing patterns of crime, increases in counter terrorism and cybercrime investigations, changing demographics and the resilience and wellbeing of the workforce. 4.2 The second area of work is looking at the current increases in police demand, supported by real time data from forces and potential future capability requirements. The evidence to date suggests that forces have experienced a spike in demand earlier than usual in the summer, highlighted by an increase in 999 call volumes and other indicators. Preliminary data on the impact of increased demand suggests signs of significant strain in the service. The NPCC Performance Management Coordination Committee are working to identify consistent national indicators for the future. 4.3 Members discussed the impact of the apprenticeship levy currently not being available to Welsh forces. It was suggested that the impact on forces affected by this discrepancy was significant and needed to be addressed. Item 5: Update on Evidence Based Guidelines Pilot (Nerys Thomas) 5.1 Members were updated on 2 pilots to develop evidence based guidelines, looking at officer safety and de-escalation techniques; and initial account taking from victims and witnesses. The guideline committees for each pilot have developed recommendations based on the evidence. 5.2 Members were asked to provide advice on who recommendations should be aimed at, in the first instance. It was felt that as this was a pilot, the recommendations should be put to the College s membership and wider policing stakeholders initially and then be made publically available. The Committee were supportive of this work and it felt it would be beneficial for policing and was the type of product that the College should be delivering. Agenda Item no [1] Page 2 of 5
Item 6: Update on the Review of the Senior Police National Assessment Centre, the Senior Police Staff Assessment Process and the Strategic Command Course (Phil Kay) 6.1 Members were asked to provide comment on the review of the Senior Police National Assessment Centre, the Senior Police Staff Assessment Process and the Strategic Command Course, focusing on key areas within phase 2 of the review. Fast track actions have been put in place looking at values and continuing professional development; and the application form for SPNAC now explicitly allows Chief Constables to endorse applications from those who may need further development before appointment. Two career development workshops have taken place, as well as a national development centre for underrepresented groups. Applications for SPNAC are up 29% overall, from a diverse range of applicants. 6.2 Members were supportive of the review s phase 2 actions and requested that work to consider options for direct entry at Assistant Chief Constable/Commander level be progressed without delay. Item 7: Update on Recent Reports (David Tucker) 7.1 Members noted the update on 4 recent reports relating to the disclosure of unused material in criminal cases, stalking and harassment and deaths in custody. With regards to disclosure the College is working with the national policing lead to develop tiered learning products, as well as prioritising disclosure within its review of criminal justice within the National Police Curriculum. The Chair noted it was disappointing that HMIC had made a recommendation for the need for further training in this area given ample training was already available. She suggested that it might be more useful to consider why disclosure principles and practice was not being adhered to as already set out in training and guidance. Members went on to discuss disclosure in a range of cases, possible methods to systemise disclosure digitally and the need for a combined approach with the CPS. 7.2 The HMIC/HMCPSI report on stalking and harassment identified the difficulty that officers have in differentiating between the 2 offences, which is compounded by the fact that legislation does not define stalking. The College is working with the NPCC led Executive Group, who are coordinating the response to all the issues raised in the report. 7.3 Members were updated on NPCC s work with the College to develop an awareness campaign called Sixty seconds to save a life in anticipation of the publication of Dame Elish Angiolini QC s report into deaths in custody. This seeks to support the decision making of officers and staff at the first point of contact of someone who may need restraining. Item 8: Guidance on the Use of CED by Probationers and Special Constables (Olivia Pinkney) 8.1 Members were asked to note progress and agree the proposed approach to developing processes that would enable probationers and special constables to carry CEDs. Any proposal to issue CED to new groups of staff constitutes a change to the current system of CED approval and requires authorisation by the Home Secretary. 8.2 A new CED was authorised by the Home Secretary in March 2017, following which work to assess demand and evidence for extending authorisation to probationers commenced. Chief Constables Council subsequently requested this be further Agenda Item no [1] Page 3 of 5
extended to include special constables. The NPCC Chair emphasised the increased urgency around this work, given the events of the summer and suggested a shift in pace may be required. 8.3 A survey of forces in respect of their plans for CED use by probationers, conducted by NPCC, was probed and clarification on who this information was obtained from was requested. Further thought needs to be given as to what evaluation arrangements might be required. ACTION: The College to review the timetable for work on issuing CED to probationers and Special Constables and report on proposed timescales at the next meeting. ACTION: The College to clarify information requirements and contact leads for data returns from forces on their plans for CED use by probationers, by the next meeting. Item 9a: College Business & CDG Update (David Tucker) 9a.1 Members noted the update on current College business and decisions from its Coordination and Development Group. Item 9b: Chief Constables Council Update (Sara Thornton) 9b.1 Member noted the update on the last Chief Constables Council meeting, held in July. Item 10: AOB 10.1 None tendered ****MEETING CLOSED**** Professional Committee: Action Log ACTIONS: 13 th September 2017 MEETING NO ITEM ACTION LEAD COMMENT 1. CT Update The College to review the initial National Policing Curriculum to ensure relevant and up-to-date knowledge and information on identifying and dealing with counter terrorism at a local level is included Sam Peach CT Extensively covered in years 1 & 2 of the NPC. 2. Workforce Transformatio n College to set out its approach to consultation in supporting the development of workforce initiatives and wider work. Sam Peach Ongoing and will be reported on at the February meeting. 3. CEDs use by probationers The College to review the timetable for work on issuing CED to probationers Richard Bennett Item on the agenda for November meeting. Agenda Item no [1] Page 4 of 5
and special constables 4. CEDs use by probationers and special constables and Special Constables and report on proposed timescales at the next meeting. The College to clarify information requirements and contact leads for data returns from forces on their plans for CED use by probationers, by the next meeting. Brian Davies Agenda Item no [1] Page 5 of 5