Agenda item

Training of City of London Police Officers

William Pimlott asked a question of the Chair of the City of London Police Authority Board concerning the training of officers at all levels, particularly in relation to unconscious bias, policing of protests, lawfulness of stop and search, dealing with young people, and?de-escalation?training.

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Responding, the Chair noted the importance of public support for the UK’s policing by consent model and, by extension, the importance of ensuring trust in the police is maintained. He reassured Members that efforts in ensuring equality, eliminating bias, and maintaining a zero tolerance to racism were constantly under review and scrutiny, with recommendations for continual improvement and such recommendations tracked against implementation. Consequently, he was satisfied that there was sufficient existing oversight and scrutiny of these areas.  The Chair also outlined the various training plans in place for all officers in relation to the appropriate, proportionate and legitimate use of powers.

With reference to Stop and Search in particular, the Chair noted that this was a complex matter but, used appropriately, could be a highly effective tool in combating serious crime. He provided statistics in relation to its usage over the last quarter noting that, of those whose ethnicity was identified, 28% of the Force’s stops had been of those of BAME background, compared with 56% in the same period for the Metropolitan Police. By way of context, across London 59% of people identified as White, 18% as Asian, 12% as Black and 11% as Mixed or Other. The Chair also outlined the significant scrutiny mechanisms in place as to the performance, outcomes and legitimacy of stop and search usage within both the Force and the Police Authority, as well as through Community Oversight groups such the Independent Advisory Group and Scrutiny Group.

In response to a supplementary question from William Pimlott concerning the issuing of COVID-19 Fixed?Penalty Notices (FPNs), the Chair advised that the City of London Police?had adopted the national position and guidance throughout the pandemic in relation to the enforcement of emergency powers legislation. Some 27 of these fixed penalty notices had been issued under COVID-19 Regulations in the City, ten of which had been to BAME individuals (37%). City officers had also issued 52 FPNs outside of the City of London whilst undertaking mutual support activities with the Metropolitan Police, 60% of which were to BAME individuals.

With regard to complaints investigated by Professional Standards, complaints on discrimination remain very low, with two allegations of discrimination recorded in the last quarter (out of 58). One of these has been finalised, and not upheld. The issuance of FPNs would be discussed by the Professional Standards & Integrity Committee at its meeting on 14 September and any recommendations emerging would be acted on by the Force.

Return to the Workplace

Oliver Sells asked a question of the Chair of the Establishment Committee expressing his concerns around the lack of pace in returning staff and Members to Guildhall and seeking an update as to next steps.

Responding, the Chair empathised with the Honourable Member’s frustrations and noted that the Establishment Committee would be discussing the detail of staff physically returning to the workplace at its meeting next week. He observed that officers were having to continually assess the position in light of changes in official guidance, but noted that communications to officers regarding a phased return to the workplace had recently been issued. He outlined the three principles guiding this return: firstly, staff safety is paramount; second, workplaces are COVID-19 secure; and third that new flexible ways of working are embedded.

The position now was that staff could physically return to the workplace if: their work could not be done at home, in total or in part; they felt they would benefit from attendance at the office; they needed access to specialist equipment or physical documents; they needed to attend a physical meeting, event or essential training; or it formed part of the operational requirements of our venues or our institutions. Indeed, staff at several of the City’s institutions had worked on-site throughout or had already returned in large numbers. Officers had been working hard to put COVID-19 secure measures in place to ensure safe working environments and social distancing for staff and Members, including the development and adaption of the Guildhall to allow hybrid committees. Unfortunately, there had been a delay in the procurement process which had in turn caused a delay in implementation.

Responding to a supplementary question from Oliver Sells concerning the importance of urgency in this matter, the Chair reiterated his views in this area and  expressed his hope that hybrid meetings would be progressed swiftly, including the use of some of the larger rooms at Guildhall to facilitate this.

Risk Assessments at Guildhall

Alderman Ian Luder asked a question of the Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee regarding risk assessments undertaken in respect of the use of Guildhall, particularly seeking a commitment to liaise with the Director of Public Health to assess the impact and risk of increasing the numbers permitted into the Members’ areas at Guildhall at any one time.

In reply, the Chair expressed the view that this would not be appropriate, as the matter did not fall completely within the Director’s remit and, in any case, the rules were sufficiently fluid that advice was likely to be out of date as soon as it was received. However, she assured the Honourable Member that the City was working very closely with the Director in all it did.

The Chair took the opportunity to outline the various measures being put in place in relation to COVID-19 secure measures at Guildhall, so as to ensure safe working environments and social distancing for staff and Members, and their implications in respect of the Members’ areas in particular. These would be subject to regular review. She also expressed her awareness of some Members’ frustrations on pace and lack of involvement, advising that she had asked for a Member briefing session to be arranged accordingly.