Agenda item

Report of the Commissioner.

The Board received the Commissioner's public update.

Replying to a query from the Deputy Chair Officers provided an update on the special constabulary restructure including noting that the post implementation review would be completed after the summer. The Chair requested that a report on the post implementation review of the special constabulary be provided to a future meeting of the Board to assess the impact of the reorganisation. Following a query from a Member of the Board it was confirmed that the specialist skills in cyber were specifically sought when considering the requirement of special constables.

The Deputy Chair noted that at a recent City Wide residents meeting the issue of policing the behaviour cyclist had been raised by the residents and requested further information on these matters. In response officers confirmed that a new neighbourhood engagement plan had been developed and that specific officers would be policing anti-social behaviour, including those by cyclists, with an associated communications plan. The Deputy Chair stated that Corporation communications should also be used to amplify these messages. Further to this the Board requested that Officers explore options for widening the scope of ward cluster meetings including colleagues from across the Corporation as appropriate.

The Board discussed the report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services State of Policing (HMICFRS) with the Chair informing the Board of the concerns raised by the Association of Police and Crime Commissioner that some comments by the HMICFRS were outside of their purview. Regarding the areas for improvement and recommendations from the City of London Police Inspection on Counter Corruption and Vetting the reasoning for these issues was explained including the backlog in vetting and the actions of the gold group established confirming that since the Inspectors came into Force last October, there was now no longer a backlog with better staffing provision and future planning key to mitigating these issues going forward. In addition, it was confirmed that Officers would continue to inform Members of this work through the Professional Standards and Integrity Committee and the Police Authority Board.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.