Metropolitan Police (Hansard, 12 December 1978)

§ Mr. Merlyn Rees:

With my agreement, the commissioner has decided to strengthen arrangements for the inspection of the Metropolitan Police with effect from 1st January 1979.

The following details of the arrangements are being promulgated in police orders today:

A Deputy Assistant Commissioner has been appointed Inspector of the Metropolitan Police. He will operate under the control and direction of the Deputy Commissioner, to whom he will report direct. He will be assisted by two Commanders as Deputy Inspectors. Together with three Chief Superintendents, 100W who will act as staff officers, and a small clerical staff, these officers will comprise a new Force Inspectorate. The duties of the Inspectorate will be to provide a continuing assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of the Force, including headquarters branches but excluding those branches responsible to the Receiver, and to visit branches and divisions to ensure that: the policies laid down for the Force are understood and properly implemented ; the functions of the branch or division are being carried out correctly and in the most efficient manner: the branch or division is adequately manned and equipped ; and new developments and schemes are being considered or introduced as appropriate. It is anticipated that each branch and division will be inspected at regular intervals, and the Inspectorate will examine carefully the use of manpower and methods of work. To assist them in their work the Inspectors will be able to call on the services of specialist support units such as Management Services Department and the costing and audit branches of Finance Department. In the course of inspection particular attention will be paid to the procedures and methods of handling complaints against police and matters of police discipline. It will be open to an officer of any rank to approach a member of the Inspectorate at any time to make representation or to discuss any matter.

The following are additional features of the arrangements: My Department will be consulted about the inspection programme, will be able to call for particular matters to be examined by the Inspectorate, and will receive copies of all inspection reports for my information. If the deputy commissioner, in the exercise of his responsibility for controlling the operation of the Inspectorate, considers that a matter would be, and has not been, brought to my notice he will have the right and duty to submit a formal memorandum to the commissioner with the request that it should be forwarded to me. The deputy commissioner, accompanied by the inspector, will attend regular meetings of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary and Her Majesty's Inspectors, and there will be close co-operation at staff officer level between Her Majesty's Inspectorate and the Metropolitan Police Inspectorate. This co-operation is expected to enhance the development of common standards and procedures in areas where consistency or compatibility is desirable.