FOI 64110
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 64110
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 15th March 2021. Please find below the response to your request:
I would like to request the following information- please can you answer every question and sub-question concisely and as I have requested :
Q1) Does your police force, as of the current date, have an Independent Stop and Search Scrutiny Panel?
1a) If yes: How often do they meet? I) What date (DD/MM/YYYY) was the panel first operational? II) How many of the people currently on the panel are from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background? (could you also tell me the total number of people on the panel as of the current date).
1b) If your force does have such a panel, are panel members made to review a sample of stop and search records and related body-worn video footage at meetings? This can be a simple Yes or No answer.
1c) If your force does have such a panel, what sort of mandatory training do panel members receive in order to perform their role?
1d) If your force does not currently have an operational Independent Stop and Search Scrutiny Panel, have official plans been drawn up that would see the implementation of one in the future? (If so, please specify when)
Q2) Does your force provide body-won video cameras to your officers? If so, to which ones, and is its use mandatory for specific activities (for example, but not limited to: during stop and searches- please specify)?
2a) If they are indeed provided to officers, between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2021, how often did your police force review body-worn video footage as part of your internal monitoring and external scrutiny of stop and search and use of force?
Reply:-
Q1) Does your police force, as of the current date, have an Independent Stop and Search Scrutiny Panel?
Reply: West Mercia Police are currently working towards a separate panel. At the moment each LPA has an IAG which looks at stop and search.
1a) If yes: How often do they meet? I) What date (DD/MM/YYYY) was the panel first operational? II) How many of the people currently on the panel are from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background? (could you also tell me the total number of people on the panel as of the current date).
Reply: N/a
1b) If your force does have such a panel, are panel members made to review a sample of stop and search records and related body-worn video footage at meetings? This can be a simple Yes or No answer.
Reply: N/a
1c) If your force does have such a panel, what sort of mandatory training do panel members receive in order to perform their role?
Reply: N/a
1d) If your force does not currently have an operational Independent Stop and Search Scrutiny Panel, have official plans been drawn up that would see the implementation of one in the future? (If so, please specify when)
Reply: Each LPA has been tasked with recruiting panel members. As they gain enough members meetings will take place. These would need to be in person so we are hoping to start meetings as Covid restrictions ease.
Q2) Does your force provide body-won video cameras to your officers? If so, to which ones, and is its use mandatory for specific activities (for example, but not limited to: during stop and searches- please specify)?
Reply: Yes – All front line uniform officers and special constables. Mandated use is as follows:-
- Domestic abuse
- Stop and Search (To include ALL powers of search)
- Any Use of Force / Anticipated Use of Force
- During any deployment of Taser
- Where an officer is directed by a supervisor to record all or part of a particular incident.
2a) If they are indeed provided to officers, between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2021, how often did your police force review body-worn video footage as part of your internal monitoring and external scrutiny of stop and search and use of force?
Reply: LPA SPOCs review 6 BWV per month and 10 stop search records. IAG’s review reasonable grounds for 6 and usually view 3 per quarter. This has been more difficult due to the pandemic and not all the BWV showings have taken place. We aim to significantly increase this external scrutiny with the introduction of panels. We are also trialling a much more intensive internal scrutiny process in light of the new national HMICFRS recommendations.
If you have any information to assist West Mercia Police in setting up our panels or wish to take part in any way we would be very open to this and the West Mercia Force Lead Stop Search and Use of Force, PS 3792 Monaghan, can be contacted directly at: [email protected]