GMCA launches first independent panel in England to examine police arrests and custody
A new independent scrutiny panel has been launched to monitor custody and arrests by Greater Manchester Police (GMP), following an inquiry commissioned by Mayor Andy Burnham.
This forms part of a raft of new measures, introduced in response to recommendations made by Dame Vera Baird in her report on the treatment of people arrested and taken into custody in Greater Manchester.
The new panel is tasked with what is known as ‘dip-sampling’ arrests. It will examine a random selection of arrests at the lower end of criminality, looking at the reasons for arrest, strip search records and the quality and accuracy of custody records.
Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities, said:
“Arrests and detention that are appropriate and maintain dignity are fundamental to the public’s trust and confidence in policing. That is why we are launching this new panel today.
“The panel is drawn from all walks of life, united by a shared sense of responsibility and commitment to this duty.
“It will play a vital role in continuing to scrutinise this work at GMP over the coming years. This will ensure standards are maintained in the longer term and inform the learning and culture change throughout the force so the public can trust that improvements are embedded and sustained.”
The panel is made up of people with professional or lived experience of the police and justice system, including people who have been arrested, victims’ groups and community organisations.
They include a district prosecutor, an ex-Magistrate, an Independent Custody Visitor, the Appropriate Adult Service, members of the Womens’ Support Alliance, a member of our GM Race Equality Panel and wider voluntary sector organisations.
At its launch, Dame Vera Baird will address the panel to outline her findings from the inquiry and reiterate the importance of the work the panel has been established to do.
Dame Vera Baird, author of the Baird Review, said:
“This is a landmark moment for policing. I am impressed that the Deputy Mayor has implemented my recommendation for an independent scrutiny panel so speedily and so thoroughly.
“This is the first time that an independent panel will have wide-ranging powers to scrutinise how the police are conducting arrests, custody, strip search, domestic abuse and all of the other issues I raised in my report.
“None of the panel have any connection with the force; they will be able to examine police activity completely independently and throw a searchlight on their actions.
“Every place should benefit from the same level of scrutiny and I hope that this panel will serve as a blueprint for the whole country in the future.”
In 2023 the Mayor and Deputy Mayor Kate Green commissioned the former Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales to carry out an independent review into the experiences of people arrested and taken into custody across Greater Manchester, with a focus on women and girls.
It followed reports in the media, including from Sky News, of accounts from three women in Greater Manchester. The report took evidence from 14 complainants, including three men, who spoke about their experiences between 2021 and 2023.
A recent assessment from the Deputy Mayor on progress since the publication of Dame Vera’s inquiry in July 2024, found that 24 of the 26 recommendations made to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) – including the end of ‘welfare’ strip searches – have been implemented, and seven of the eight recommendations put to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority have been delivered.
Detective Chief Superintendent Ryan Davies, GMP’s head of Custody and Criminal Justice, said:
“Today’s launch is another significant step in helping to improve the service that we provide to people in custody across Greater Manchester, as we continue to strive to be a national exemplar in this space.
“It reinforces our commitment to being held to account for our use of arrests and our performance in custody, which is important in making sure people – particularly women and girls – can have confidence as to how their police force treats people in custody.
“By its nature, custody has – and always will be – a challenging environment for our officers and staff who do a tough job, with around 60,000 suspects being taken to our cells every year in GM.
“However, basic provisions and processes must always be met, and while we are confident that the new Panel will recognise our progress, we stand ready to listen to their feedback around any other aspects they identify where we may need to continue our improvement journey.”
The panel will meet from January 2025 to begin its reviews and dip sampling. Observations and recommendations made by the Panel will be reported to the Deputy Mayor and GMP Chief Constable.
Article Published: 05/12/2024 16:51 PM