Agenda item

Joint report of the Town Clerk and Commissioner.

Members considered a late joint report of the Town Clerk and Commissioner regarding references and the following points were made.

8/2019/P – Force Communications Plan to be reviewed to reassure public regarding Stop and Search

·         The Assistant Commissioner noted that both the Force internal and external communications plans incorporated data on the use of stop and search. Moreover there was a report later on the agenda that gave a breakdown of stop and search statistics.

·         A Member Observer noted that a quarterly public report on the Force website noted that there was a technical error preventing the display of data with regards to ethnicity. The Assistant Commissioner committed to rectifying the issue in time for the November 2020 meeting of the Committee.

·         Members noted that the reference had arisen as a means to provide public reassurance on the use of stop and search, and that it could now be closed.

12/2020/P – Response on potential use of predictive policing methods

·         The Assistant Commissioner noted that the Force did not use predictive policing or artificial intelligence at present and there would be consultation with the Authority in advance of those methods being adopted. Members were asked to note, nevertheless, that there was some discussion nationally regarding the ethics of predictive policing.

·         A Member highlighted a 11 August 2020 decision by the Court of Appeal against South Wales Police’s use of automated facial recognition and encouraged the Force to ensure issues within that judgement be factored into the decision making process towards adoption of any predictive policing methods.

·         Members agreed that the reference could be closed.

14/2019/P – Future meeting dates of London Police Challenge Forum

·         In response to a question, the Assistant Commissioner replied that the Forum was a joint meeting between London Forces and partners, which the Force’s Head of Strategic Development led on. Meetings of the Forum had been disrupted by COVID-19 and when further information was available this would be provided to the Committee.

17/2019/P – New Review Panel process to be reviewed after three months

·         The Chair noted that the new process was in operation, with an update report later on the agenda. Members agreed that, due to COVID-19, the review should be deferred until January 2021.

18/19/2019/P – File failure rate and analysis to be provided outside of meeting

·         The Town Clerk noted that a detailed report on this issue had been submitted to the inquorate March 2020 meeting. Members agreed that the report be made available on request, alongside 1:1 debriefs by the Force, and that the reference could be closed.

20/2019/P – Ethical Economic Partnerships Report

·         The Deputy Head of the Police Authority noted that a report at the October 2020 meeting of the City of London Police Authority Board would go into some detail on ethical economic partnerships that the Force was involved in. the report would then come to the November 2020 meetings of this Committee.

·         In response to a request, the Deputy Head of the Police Authority committed to reviewing the report and feeding back on whether it included an overview of the process through which partnerships were agreed.

1/2020/P – London Police Challenge Forum Case Studies

·         The Chair noted that the Forum had not been meeting due to COVID-19 and therefore there was no update under this reference.

2/2020/P – Victim Satisfaction Survey

·         The Chair noted the next survey would be conducted in November 2020 with a report to this Committee in early 2021.

3/2020/P – Statistics on temporary promotions at all levels of Force

·         Members noted that this reference would be dealt with at the November 2020 meeting.

RESOLVED, that the report be received.