Agenda item

The Committee welcomed Steven Otter and Brian Quinn from Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary for the National and London Region (HMIC) who were present to update on the CoL Police’s PEEL (police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy) assessment for 2015. Mr Otter advised that the role of HMIC was to promote improvements in policing to make everyone safer and they would only make recommendations where there were real areas of concern.

The Committee noted that the purpose of the PEEL inspections was to provide information on how the police were performing in a way that was comparable both across England and Wales, and year-on-year. Mr Otter advised that the assessment recognised that the CoL Police were quite unique however it was still required to work to a national standard.

The Committee was advised that the CoL Police were rated ‘Good’ in most areas. It worked effectively to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour and protected most victims well. It was also adequately prepared to face its future financial challenges and had improved its understanding of the demands it faced.

In response to questions concerning areas for improvement, Mr Otter advised that the force needed to evidence better its response to child sexual exploitation, and also needed to understand better the reasons for its apparently high use of Stop and Search and Taser.

The Commissioner reported that the inspections were very helpful and it was useful to have independent validation. He further advised that they would be seeking to address the areas for improvement.

On behalf of the Committee the Chairman thanked Mr Otter, who was shortly retiring, for attending the meeting and also for all his work and support over the last four years.