Changing Attitudes – A closer working relationship between PSB and the Federation

Many of you more senior in service will recall the old complaints/misconduct system.

 

This was when you would receive a set of 'papers' they would go in your locker, and that would be it for 5-6months. At some point then you would receive some contact from the Professional Standards Branch and you would seek out your Federation Rep for some advice and guidance. Investigations were lengthy and cumbersome.

 

Ethics V Rules and Standards

In todays’ ever moving Police service there is a lot of talk about ethics. This particularly affects the misconduct world of the individual police officer. Currently we are governed by a clear set of rules or standards that are laid down and are clear and transparent. These are supported through a series of stated cases that assist the misconduct process and associated decision making. In the future, as part of the move towards becoming a “profession” with a “professional body” governing us, we are advised it might be good for us to be governed by a set of ethics.

Misconduct panels are potentially going to disappear in their current form and may in the future consist of only of one person.

Misconduct in a Public Office

A document that sets out the offence of misconduct in a public office.  May be worth reading and understanding.

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons/lib/research/briefings/snpc-04909.pdf

Sorry Seems to be the hardest word .....

You will recognise these words from a famous song...

This holds true in the area of Police Complaints and Misconduct Investigations.

Many Police Officers that have found themselves under investigation in recent years have been reluctant to hold their hands up on occasions and say "I'm sorry"

Policing is fast paced and complex, and from time to time we will make mistakes or misjudge a situation , there is no shame in that, it is only natural.

We will return to the 'saying sorry' theme shortly.

Behind the scenes your Federation has been working tirelessly to build what is now an excellent relationship with the Professional Standards Branch.

The motto of the Federation is 'Represent, Influence and Negotiate', and you can only do this when you have a meaningful relationship with those that you seek to influence and negotiate.

We are working with the PSB to identify new methods that reduce the number of complaints, the time officers are under investigation, and look at new ways of resolving such matters that benefit the officer and the reputation of the Force.

Returning to the theme of saying sorry, one such area that we have jointly developed is what could be described as ‘Mediation Disposals’ within the complaints arena. This is borne out a piece of recent research that showed 87% of complaints only wanted an explanation and/or an apology.

So what are ‘Mediation Disposals’?

It’s based on the principles of Restorative Justice, which you will all be familiar with. It will only be suitable and considered for certain types of specifically selected complaint.

In this situation it is where officers and the public can be bought together to understand each other’s position and view. It is about identifying a meaningful and proportionate outcome to a complaint. An outcome that serves the complainant, the officer and the Force.

On occasions and where appropriate this will lead to quite simply saying ‘I’m sorry’

We have begun to use these principles with regards live complaints against officers and those that have been offered it, have accepted it with open arms.

We accept that this will not suit every officer, and indeed this will not be an appropriate outcome or solution in every case.

Certainly it has to be approved by the complainant and of course you the officer will also have to consent to this approach.

The benefits are far reaching for the officer and also the professional reputation of the Force and can provide a simple and quick resolution to a complaint

Chief Supt Paul Rumney head of PSB says......... ''PSB recognise that policing is often stressful with officers exposed to violent situations and distressing scenes. Showing restraint in such circumstances can be challenging.

Many complaints have their origins in a misunderstanding. There is often reluctance for officers to apologise or explain their actions when they have been rude or demonstrated a lack of empathy to a victim or member of public who is anxious, distressed or unable to express themselves in a balanced way.

It is really important that we recognise this and have the courage to say 'sorry' as this can often diffuse a situation before it gets out of hand.

The fact that an officer has apologised has in many recent cases brought complaints to a timely closure for the complainant and for the member of staff affected by the complaints process. The work of the Federation has been instrumental in negotiating and influencing the response from officers and the approach from the PSB who remain committed to having a realistic relationship with front line policing ''.

The Federation’s view is that there is nothing to fear from saying sorry.

Ian Hanson the Chair of the Federation says " This is a really positive and sensible move forward and one which we in GMP Federation have already seen making a real difference. For too many years Police Misconduct investigations have been stuck in an adversarial rut and this benefitted neither the officer nor the complainant in cases where they felt they had a legitimate grievance"

If you find yourself under investigation please always consider the principles of ‘Restorative Justice’, and where appropriate discuss this with your Federation Rep as a potential solution or outcome to a complaint..

"He who pays the piper calls the tune"

It was good to hear the Chief Constable, Mr Fahy when addressing officers prior to the Pride march to describe GMP as a family because in an ideal world that is who we are.

It is a bit unfortunate though when some of us do not treat each other as if we were brothers and sisters.

It is often disappointing when this happens. It is important to remember we are all individuals working for the benefit of the people of Greater Manchester. We should look after each other in doing this, as we can only do our best if we look after ‘us’ first.

There are obviously constraints in our behaviour, but these relate to doing our best for others, not being selfish in our own needs and taking advantage of others. One of the ways of looking after hard working police officers is to fully protect them from outside political interference.

Imagine the scene a busy street in a busy town centre, an officer doing his or her duty, dealing with a member of the public. For whatever reason he or she does what he has to, and either issues a fixed penalty, reports for summons or even arrests the member of the public.