Setting the standards

The issue of professional standards lies at the very heart of modern policing, with the ever-present danger of action being taken against individuals or organisations that fail to meet the highest standards of discipline and conduct.

The 2005 conference will for the first time incorporate both sides of professional standards – corruption as well as complaints and discipline – with equal weight given to both areas, while technological innovations will help to make the conference a truly interactive event.

Michael Todd, GMP Chief Constable and Chair of the ACPO Professional Standards Committee, believes the event will provide real insight into the way the service deals with these issues. “This conference promises to make a real difference to our understanding of how professional standards are conducted across all the forces in the UK,” said Mr Todd.

“It’s vital that we tackle issues such as corruption and complaints and discipline in a resolute fashion, and that any problems are approached in a positive manner.
“I’m also particularly excited by the set-up of this conference, which promises to keep debate both lively and informative.”

Alongside ACPO officers with responsibility for their force professional standards function, delegates at the conference will include the heads of professional standards departments – the day-to-day practitioners – as well as independent delegates from organisations such as the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and the Association of Police Authorities (APA) who will be able to offer an external perspective. That perspective could prove crucial.

Those who attended last year’s conference identified diversity as one of the most significant topics to be explored in greater depth. Against the backdrop of events that have unfolded over the last
12 months, including the Taylor Report, the Morris Inquiry and the CRE report into The Secret Policeman, it is no surprise that diversity is one of the central themes of this year’s event.

The conference has several key aims, and foremost amongst these are working with key partners to promote greater understanding of the strategic threats which affect the professional standards function. Other priorities will include identifying emerging issues, providing an appreciation of the developing relationship with the IPCC, and giving practical advice and guidance. The way the service works with IPCC, other organisations and the way it collaborates with other forces are expected to be recurring features.

Key aspects for analysis at the conference are expected to include leadership issues, and the risks inherent in poor leadership; disproportionality and diversity – in terms of investigations, tactics, and building partnerships; IPCC issues; strategic alliances; and key additional threats/ challenges to the service. The outcomes are expected to drive the ACPO Professional Standards Committee agenda for the coming year.

“As well as wrestling with some of these difficult issues, the conference will look at the latest national strategic assessment,” said Mr Todd. “It will be interesting to see what has changed since the previous assessment two years ago.”

The first presentations on diversity in the professional standards arena look at the reports from the CRE and allied matters, and how they will change the way professional standards departments work in the future. Peter Fahy, Chief Constable of Cheshire and ACPO lead on diversity will outline his thinking on the impact and developments since the reports were published. Sir William Taylor will also talk to the conference about his Review of Police Disciplinary Arrangements.
The recommendations of the Taylor Review were welcomed as leading to quicker, less-lengthy proceedings without resulting in formal sanctions in more cases than the present system. The main recommendations were;

n A new single code (incorporating ethics and conduct) should be produced for individual behaviour of officers and staff.

n