GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE AUTHORITY TAKING SCRUTINY FORWARD IN

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE AUTHORITY TAKING SCRUTINY FORWARD IN GMPA Alison Hannen Performance Management Officer

Change • Get noted! • Reliance on force information / statistics • Received wisdom / Philosophical gap Change required: • Adopt a scrutiny approach • Test propositions / service delivery via reality checks

Way forward • • • Lead Members Visits / reality checks Reason and logic Clarity of thought Public mandate = Scrutiny

POLICE AUTHORITY KEY STATUTORY DUTY “TO PROVIDE AN EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE POLICE SERVICE”

WHAT IS SCRUTINY? Scrutiny noun (pl. scrutinies) close and critical observation or examination. — ORIGIN Latin scrutinium, from scrutari ‘sort rubbish’, later ‘to search’. OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY “to examine something very carefully in order to discover information”

WHAT IS SCRUTINY • Uses a variety of tools and methodologies, e. g. social research, consultation, environmental scanning, site visits etc • Enables decision making from an informed point of view • Evidence based decision making • Not tied in to a prescriptive methodology • Not necessarily about challenge, also about providing support, lobbying, raising profiles, developing expertise etc

POLICE AUTHORITIES : WHY SCRUTINY? • A model has been implemented in local government differing results • Strategic responsibilities and executive / non executive split • Can highlight the link between public concerns/priorities to the delivery of an efficient and effective force • Enable public engagement/debate Shift emphasis from servicing performance indicators to servicing the public

GMPA SCRUTINY Call Handling: • Audit Commission: lost calls and resourcing • Public views: service failure • Reality check on current force service delivery and other forces /external organisations. • HMIC baseline: Poor / Deteriorated

What we did • Set up authority group • Researched call handling separate from force • Visits, spoke to staff, HMIC , partners • Joined together: joint steering group • Consultants • Outline /full business case

IMPACT • • • Historical issue: no action Used leverage of inspection report Seized initiative No 1 priority for GMPA Business process reengineering Public priority : delight the customer

STOP OFF ROAD NUISANCE • Major public issue • Significant increase in complaints (200%) • An average of one death per month last year • Increasing intimidation and violence directed at staff and the public • Use of stolen vehicles and associated criminal activity • Damage to public and private property

What we did • • Researched subject Campaign for registration scheme Delivered conference Support GMP off road nuisance champion Produced literature / signs Run steering group Direct dialogue with the public

GMPA Publicity and new off-road nuisance reporting website

• Advice packs: all MP’s, Councillors, officers etc. • Email: stopoffroadnuisance@gmpa. gov. uk • Website: reporting facility: nuisance and name and shame • Identification of hotspot areas • Signage: police reform warning • Tameside Trading Standards: stop importation • Application for Beacon Status

IMPACT • Public concerns ignored • Not part of any performance management regime • Groundswell of support • Tested propositions • Filled a gap: no one taking responsibility • Stop problem at source rather than waste resources

GMPA SCRUTINY • Off road nuisance: – Force had to refocus – Supporting GMP – Lobbying on a national level: MP as champion – Current EDM / 10 minute rule bill / speaking today – Developing expertise – Highlight public concerns

CRIME RECORDING • • Audit commission report GMP : Fair GMPA : Fair Established Lead Member role Conducted visits: call centre, crime input etc Focus groups Observed training, interviewed staff Dip sample / quality assure crime reports

IMPACT • • • Focused on a fundamental issue Ask naive questions Use/mainstream the information Protect staff Build trust / relationships Now= GMP: Good GMPA : Excellent

SCRUTINY OUTCOMES • Support – Common ground, develop understanding of issues, joint protocols, partnership • Supplement – To provide additional information along side GMP work • Constructive Challenge/ Solutions - To provide a vision for delivery of an effective and efficient force which is publicly accountable. - Problem solving approach

WHAT NEXT? Vision: To create a robust and independent scrutiny role that is publicly accountable In order to achieve this: – – – Increase the efficient use of authority resources Emphasise joined up working Establish formal mechanism Identification of issues/priorities Deliver appropriate training

REALITY CHECK ON POLICE AUTHORITIES • WOULD WE BE MISSED? • RE-EVALUATE OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS • BRING SOMETHING TO THE TABLE • USE SCRUTINY TO CHALLENGE FORCE PROFLIGACY: OPERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY • CHALLENGE OURSELVES: STATUS QUO NOT AN OPTION