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RegisterSTRATEGIC MANAGEMENT BOARD 03/2009
Meeting Number
3/2009
Date
20/03/2009
Location
Conference Room 3
Present:
Mrs S Sim – Deputy Chief Constable (Chair)
Mr P Beasley – T/ Assistant Chief Constable (Crime and FIID)
Mr P Armatage – Director of ICT
Chief Superintendent N Adamson – Criminal Justice Department
Superintendent K Blyth - Sunderland
Chief Superintendent G Calvert – Force Information and Intelligence Department
Mr D Cutting – Head of Learning and Development (Human Resources)
Chief Superintendent G Davis – Professional Standards Department
Chief Superintendent M Dennett – South Tyneside
Mrs M Grieve – Marketing Manager
Chief Superintendent S Hall – Citizen Focus
Chief Superintendent K Lambert – Communications Department
Mrs J Lawson – Head of Human Resources
Chief Superintendent R Logan – North Tyneside
Chief Superintendent N Mackay – Operations Department
Superintendent N Minto – Corporate Development Department
Mrs T Reade – Policy Manager
Chief Superintendent G Smith – Gateshead
Chief Superintendent S Storey – Northumberland
Mr M Tait – Financial Services Manager
Mr J Taylor – A/Director of ICT
Mr R Watson - Federation
Superintendent D Wormald - Newcastle
Miss C Taylor - Corporate Development Department (Secretary)
Invitees:
Apologies for absence:
Ms M Berne – Head of Corporate Communications Department
Chief Superintendent R Kearton – Corporate Development Department
D/Chief Superintendent C Thomson – Crime Department
Chief Superintendent P Weir - Newcastle
1. OPENING
The Chair opened the meeting by welcoming all members and introduced to members T/Assistant Chief Officer Paul Beasley and Mr Paul Armatage, Director of Information, Communication and Technology.
2. MINUTES OF THE OPEN SESSION OF STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT BOARD HELD ON 26 FEBRUARY 2009
The minutes of the open session of Strategic Management Board held on 26 February 2009, having been previously circulated, were agreed as a true and accurate record.
3. MATTERS ARISING
There were no matters arising from the minutes.
4. FORCE PERFORMANCE
Superintendent (Corporate Development) presented a breakdown of Force performance relating to recorded crime, detection rates and offences brought to justice. Of particular note was:
- A consistent level of performance over recent months had contributed to the current achievement of the Force crime reduction target and total recorded crime for the end of the financial year is projected to show a 3.6% reduction. The Chair congratulated members on meeting this target.
- Violent crime and most serious violence against the person are not meeting target. At -1.2%, violent crime had reduced compared to 2007/08, whilst offences of most serious violence against the person had an increase of 4.2% (15 offences). Both offence categories are projected to miss target at the end of the financial year.
- Gateshead remains on target for recorded crime with current improvement of -5.4% and projected performance of -6.0%. Newcastle had also achieved further improvement since the last SMB, however, is projected to miss their -6% local target.
- Trend analysis - the three month rolling average remains significantly better than the base for 2007/08. At 40.4%, the monthly detection rate, although lower than the peak seen in January 2009 (43.0%) is still above the +2 sigma line.
- At Force level all detection rate targets are being achieved and projections indicate that they are expected to remain within target.
- Sunderland and Gateshead are projected to achieve their local total detection rate target.
- Performance for all crime, serious violent crime and serious acquisitive crime compares well against its peers.
- Offences Brought To Justice (OBTJs) for serious sexual offences has remained constant, with a small reduction in performance from 27% to 25.6%.
Members NOTED the update provided.
DISCHARGED
5. PROPOSALS TO INCREASE THE OPERATIONAL AVAILABILITY OF STUDENT OFFICERS THROUGH REDUCTION OF THE ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENT.
The Head of Learning and Development presented a previously circulated document that outlined proposals to reduce the burden of assessment for student officers consequently making more resource available for operational deployment and facilitating the realignment of Local Training Officers (LTOs) to serve better the needs of the Force, area commands and departments.
Following a lengthy discussion, members AGREED:
To end the requirement for officers to obtain a full National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and reduce the number of units assessed from 22 to 13 focussing on the assessment of units that specifically relate to operational policing competencies.
To introduce confirmation of appointment on the reduced number of assessed and certificated units for all student officers, including those currently undertaking the Initial Police Learning & Development Programme (IPLDP).
To support officers who have already commenced the full NVQ award and wish to complete that process.
To approve the introduction of a Community Support Officer (CSO) to Police Officer conversion programme for those successful to their applications to become police officers, taking into account individual training needs.
To clarify the Force decision regarding the review of the Tutor Units.
ACTION: HEAD OF LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT/SECRETARY
6. SOUTH TYNESIDE CCTV PILOT
This item was withdrawn from the agenda.
7. POLICY - MANAGEMENT OF ORGANISED CRIME GROUPS (OCGs)
Chief Superintendent (Force Information and Intelligence Department (FIID)) presented a previously circulated report, which sought approval for the management of Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) by Northumbria Police. He stated that the Force currently does not have a policy or procedure in respect of the management of OCGs.
He then stated that Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) report ‘Getting Organised’ (2008) identified the need for all forces to improve their capability to identify, disrupt, and dismantle OCGs. It stressed that there needs to be a fully developed process which is ongoing, regularly updated and which will drive Force tasking as part of the National Intelligence Model (NIM).
Chief Superintendent (FIID) informed members that the Force had completed the mapping of those OCGs which impact upon the neighbourhoods and communities within the Northumbria area.
He also informed members that a threat assessment has been carried out to ensure those groups that provide the greatest risk are effectively managed and that it is important all staff understand what is required and the processes involved in the identification, disruption and dismantling of OCGs. He stated that an associated procedure document had been prepared which outlines the relevant detail.
Following a brief discussion, members AGREED:
In principle:
To the introduction of Force policy in relation to the management of OCGs.
To the OCG policy and procedure being submitted to a future Area Commanders meeting for further discussion and final agreement.
ACTION: CHIEF SUPREINTENDENT (FIID)/ SECRETARY
DISCHARGED
Secretary's Note:
Following the meeting,Chief Superintendent (FIID) advised that the OCG policy and procedure was agreed at the Area Commanders meeting held on 24 March 2009.
8. POLICY - AUDITING OF FORCE INFORMATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Chief Superintendent (FIID) presented a previously circulated report, which sought approval for the adoption of a policy for the Auditing of Force Information and Information Systems. He stated that auditing of Force information and information systems is required to comply with the following:
- The Data Protection Act 1998.
- Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)/Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) Information Systems Community Security Policy (CSP).
- Management of Police Information (MOPI).
- ACPO Data Protection Audit Manual.
- Code of Connection for the Police National Computer (PNC).
He stated that the Operational Information Management Board (OIMB) tasked the Information Section of FIID with reviewing and developing audit procedures for operational systems for inclusion in a formal audit schedule. He then stated that these systems were identified using the IS&T Systems Portfolio Criticality List and had been developed by the Information Security Adviser and the Senior Business System Owners (Crime, Professional Standards Department and FIID) by applying the following criteria to each system:
- The harm that could be caused to Northumbria Police if information held on the system is not accurate, proportionate or relevant.
- The harm that could be caused to Northumbria Police if information held on the system is disclosed or received by those unauthorised to do so.
Chief Superintendent (FIID) informed members that development of audit procedures is a continuous process, to take account of changes to existing systems or the introduction of new systems and that the risk management process will continue to identify systems that require auditing.
Superintendent (Corporate Development) informed members that the Corporate Development Department (CDD) Review is currently ongoing, however further consultation is required with Area Commanders and a report will be submitted to Strategic Management Board (SMB) by the end of April 2009.
Following a brief discussion, members AGREED:
To the policy regarding auditing of Force information and information systems.
That consultation takes place with Area Commanders regarding the CDD review and a report submitted to the SMB by the end of April 2009.
ACTION: CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT (FIID)/ CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT (CORPORATE DEVLOPMENT)/ SECRETARY
9. CITIZEN FOCUS UPDATE
Chief Superintendent (Citizen Focus) gave a brief update on work currently ongoing within Citizen Focus and stated that refinements had been carried out on the implementation plan and all Citizen Focus projects are to be combined in a summary format in order to capture work currently ongoing. She further stated that a report will be presented to T/Assistant Chief Constable (Operations, Communications and CJD) regarding this in due course.
Following a brief discussion, members AGREED:
To exceptional reporting at future SMBs regarding Citizen Focus updates.
ACTION: CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT (CITIZEN FOCUS)/ SECRETARY
DISCHARGED
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Policy Approval at Strategic Management Board
Chief Superintendent (FIID) discussed with members the pre-read material, which had recently become a leaner process in relation to SMB reports, which is provided in relation to approval of policy. He stated that it would be beneficial for members to have read the appertaining procedure before discussions at future SMBs.
Following a brief discussion, members AGREED:
That procedures appertaining to new policy will be circulated to all members prior to policy discussions and agreement at SMB.
ACTION: ALL MEMBERS
DISCHARGED
11. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
21 April 2009, 10am, Conference Room 3.
