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EQUALITY SCHEME- FUNCTION REVIEWS
IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT (Template)
FUNCTION Post Implementation review of Essex Police Street Intervention Policy DATE ASSESSED Between June 2006 and November 2006; Feb 2008
CONSULTED (all persons present at review meeting or otherwise consulted): With Assistance of:
Miss J. Wallaker (Crime Researcher) Diversity Unit D/Supt P. Coltman (PSD)
DCI A. Gooden (PSD)
Essex Intelligence Model team (EIM) Mrs D Ellis (Corporate Development)
Insp S Shoesmith (Corporate Development) Mrs S Stevenson (Corporate Development) Mr T Hampson (Crime Analyst)
In Consultation with:
Mr S Keogh (Essex Police Authority)
Members of Essex Police Strategic Independent advisory group (IAG) Chairs of Territorial Independent advisory group
Representatives (PSCO, Constable, Sergeant and Inspector) from each of the territorial divisions, Inc Stansted airport.
Representatives from both the Crime and Mobile support divisions C/I A Bloor (Staffordshire Police).
IMPACT / POTENTIAL DISPROPORTIONALITY Which aspect of
General Duty?*
Impact on which people / groups?
How much evidence?**
Staff or Public Concern? ***
1,2,3 Members of the public (all) 2 2
Public concern regarding
disproportionality in Stops and Stop and searches Nationally * 1 = Eliminating Discrimination 2= Promoting Equal Opportunities
3 =Promoting good relations
** 0 =None 1 = Minimal 2 = Moderate 3 = Significant *** 0 =None 1 = Minimal 2 = Moderate 3 = Significant
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If Yes, Who is responsible for progressing actions?
The Essex Police Equality of Service Action Team chaired by the Head of the professional Standards department review and report to the Territorial Policing Policy Board.
How will the actions / outcomes be monitored?
By EoS Action Team reporting to the Territorial Policing Policy board, Essex police Professional Standards department, Diversity unit, Equality action plans and work streams undertaken by the Essex Intelligence Model team.
Report Author: Signed……….. Date…..16/08/2007………… Name N. Strizovic……….PIN…2479……….
IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT – GUIDANCE FOR ASSESSORS Include in this report all relevant information such as:
• Demographic data and other statistics, including census findings; • Available research findings;
• Comparisons between similar policies in your own or other forces / public authorities; • Survey data
• Monitoring data;
• One –off data gathering exercises; and • Specially commissioned research • Training needs identified
• Data re Complaints or grievances 1) What is the purpose of this function?
This function was reviewed following one year post on the introduction of the street
interventions policy 2005, where changes had been made to the previous guidance; as a result of the Home office National pilot on the statutory recording of all police encounters, not just searches under the provisions of statute. The review was to consider not only the impact of those changes in the code of practice on our police activity but to seek to identify and
understand what if any issues may have driven or influenced any disproportionality in Stops and Stop and Searches in respect of the ethnicity of persons stopped or searched. Terms of
reference of the Post implementation review were provided of the reviewing officer and each was reported upon in the final report.
2) What policies / procedures are relevant to this function? Police and Criminal Evidence Act Codes of Practice Code A NCPE Practice advice on Stop and Search
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The National Intelligence Model (NIM).
PSD Performance management reports to Essex Police Authority. Essex Police Annual reports
3) Outline the research or data you have used to assess the impact of this policy.
o What research material or data have you used?
The research was comprehensive and took account of published best practice advice from the Home office on the subject of Stop and Search both pre and post the Stephen Lawrence enquiry (and report). The reviewer also took advice from identified experts who were involved in the National research by NCPE. The Stop and Stop and Search data for the review examined the month and April 2006 for the whole force area. Each of the records were examined by the reviewing officer in consideration of the terms of reference that a full understanding could be had of the way in which Stop and Stop and Searches were undertaken in Essex. The individual records were examined in order to identify trends and associated problems/weaknesses informing on the review itself.
o Summary of findings.
Post implementation Review Key Findings
• There is great variation in the use of stops and searches across the county. For example the Force activity is 3.2 per 1000 population, Eastern Division is 1.6 per 1000 population and Western Division is 3.4 per 1000 population.
• Significant input lag in respect of A302s exists countywide (average for April 2006 – 19 days).
• There is support for the use of stops and stops and searches from the public provided it is used properly.
• Supervising officers are not ensuring compliance of the PACE code A by their officers (monitoring/supervision).
• An improved training package for staff at all levels is required (Inc within conflict resolution – Defensive Skills Training).
• The policy is not robust enough in terms of enforcement or accountability.
• Requirement for comprehensive statistical records at force, area and local level in order to identify disproportionate use of powers by particular officers, or groups of officers, in relation to specific sections of the community.
• Improved Supervisory and force wide monitoring required.
• There are areas of improvement needed with regards to developing partnerships with local communities, in order to promote public confidence and making
arrangements for records to be scrutinised by representatives of the community. • Improved data quality delivered in a timely manner. (Section 95 CJA and SPI
Package)
• Disproportionality exists both nationally and within Essex Police.
o Outline what you propose to do as a result of the research or data.
A comprehensive report was completed by the reviewing officer and presented to the Essex Police Head of the Professional Standards department reporting
against the terms of reference provided on the post implementation review. The report included recommendations which would seek to improve weaknesses identified (not complete list) in data handling/quality, performance management,
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accountability, training, and the publication of comprehensive statistical
information and monitoring systems both internally and with the assistance of the IAG’s and member of public by seeking feedback in targeted questionnaires.
4) Outline how you have consulted externally or internally to assess the impact of this policy.
o Who have you consulted and how was the consultation carried out? One to one consultation with key stake holders in the organisation, questionnaires and open workshops (list not exhaustive and not in order of importance or priority):
Essex Strategic Independent Advisory group via questionnaires and via the Equality of Service Manager
Essex Intelligence Model Team members
Essex Police College management and training managers Essex police public order and weapons training manager Special Branch
Representatives from each of the Territorial division command teams (Inc Stansted, Crime and MSD)
Representatives of PCSO, Constables, Sergeants and Inspectors from each of the territorial divisions (Inc Crime and MSD)
Essex Police Authority representative
o Summary of responses.
Responses were recorded and considered whilst undertaking the review function and were contained where relevant in the Post Implementation review report.
o Outline what you propose to do as a result of the consultation.
The consultation process and the information gathered from it (including the staff workshops) was recorded and considered and where relevant contained in the Post Implementation review report for consideration and action upon the recommendations contained therein.
5) How does this policy / function impact on age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, carers or reduced hours workers?
The current Stop and Stop and search records do not record disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation or issues which relate to carers or reduced hours workers. The scanned solution when introduced will include nationality provision to aid or assist in Essex police’s responsibilities to record, monitor and analyse these particular qualifying criteria. Nationally Searches are disproportionate in respect of stops and Stop and Searches undertaken of visible ethnic minority people, especially young black males. During this post implementation review data analysed during the review period disproportionality was shown to exist within Essex.
6) Does the data or consultation indicate that the policy has a different / adverse impact on particular groups of people e.g. in respect of race, disability, gender?
During this post implementation review data analysed during the review period
disproportionality was shown to exist within Essex. Essex data is routinely analysed by the Equality of Service Manager, Police Authority Performance Authority, our strategic
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Where disproportionality is identified, the relevant division will provide background data for reasons the searches in question were carried out, for example as a result of local
intelligence, suspect information or other reasons.
o If so, which groups are affected? Minority Ethnic males
o Is the different impact an adverse one for those groups – i.e. does it put those groups at a disadvantage?
Disproportionality will suggest unfair targeting and be unhelpful to community relations so it is important to be clear as to the reasons for the Stops taking place.
7) Is there evidence that the use of this policy:
o Is discriminatory or perceived to be discriminatory?
Whilst the data shows some disproportionality, scrutiny of the reasons for searches is shared with our IAG and Essex Racial Equality Council to reassure communities. There is no evidence that the policy is being applied in a
discriminatory way.
o Is damaging good relations or failing to promote good relations? See Q above.
8) If so, what is the evidence for this? n/a
9) If the use of the policy adversely affects people from certain groups, can it be Justified because of the overall objectives? Explain in full.
There is evidence nationally and in Essex that disproportionality exists in respect of persons of visible minority ethnic groups being Stopped and or Stopped and Searched, however the data compares stops to Census figures from 2001 which are known to be inaccurate now for the county of Essex, which has a high transient minority ethnic population. Scrutiny of the data (e.g reasons for stops being made) and sharing results with our communities, partners and the Police Authority ensures that we are vigulent in ensuring the procedures are used appropriately.
(Direct discrimination is not, in law, capable of being justified; only indirect discrimination may be justifiable).
10) What changes, if any, have you made to the policy as a result of the review? The policy has not been changed as a result of the post implementation review. In
October 2007 we introduced new forms which will be scanned as opposed to data having to be manually input. This will speed up the entry time and enable more meaningful information to be produced. Currently there is a glitch with the new system that prevents
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us obtaining the data. The new forms will include provision to monitor nationality as well as ethnicity.
11) State how the on-going effects of this policy will be monitored, by whom and when? Ongoing statutory responsibility of supervisors and Organisation under PACE 1984
ESM Essex Police (Equality of Service Manager) within the Essex Police diversity Unit. Essex Police Professional Standards Department and Essex Police Authority.
Data is also shared with Essex Racial Equality Council and with our Strategic Independent Advisory Group. Data is also regularly monitored by the Home Office under section 95 of the PACE 1984 Act.
