MPA to ratify policing of protests recommendations

The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) will today (March 25) be presented with the MPA Civil Liberties Panel report investigating the Metropolitan Police Service’s (MPS) current public order policing strategies.

Post G20 was published last week, identifying a need for good teamwork, supervision and keeping training up-to-date with the changing nature of protests and their participants.

Work began on the report after the G20 protests gave rise to “a significant criticism and a fundamental questioning of the MPS’ approach to policing protest”. The report focused on how the MPS is learning and changing as a result of reviews by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) and the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Measures to deter officers from behaving unprofessionally during protests are already being implemented, with officers’ numerals being embroidered onto their uniforms so that they remain clearly identifiable at all times.

Communication between officers, the public and the media are also key areas for improvement outlined in the report.

“The Met must strive for better engagement with the media, particularly given the rise of the ‘citizen journalist’, and ensure all officers on the ground are able to recognise the press card, its security measures and the status it gives journalists. The press play a major role in providing the transparency that is vital to ensure public trust in policing is maintained,” the report states.

Senior MPS officers and operational officers who work specifically in public order policing were consulted during the production of the report, as well as members of the public and press who have been present at public protests. A public consultation meeting was held in London’s Living Room at City Hall and a survey about public order policing was posted on the MPA website to gather the views of London residents.

Victoria Borwick, MPA member and chair of the Civil Liberties Panel, concluded: “The panel is pleased that the Met has recognised the argument for change and that this has been reflected in the way protests were policed later in 2009. Sir Paul Stephenson commissioned the HMIC report in response to public concerns following G20 and all the recommendations have been accepted, with many already in hand. We will now monitor delivery of the MPS’ action plan in response to the HMIC report, and the recommendations from the panel’s report going forward.

“To maintain public confidence in the way protests are policed we have to find a balance between civil liberties and the need to maintain public safety and public order through proportionate policing.”

The report is expected to be ratified today as it is presented to the MPA in a full authority meeting.