STSECR
5/i/R002/11/87
COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE.*QL
*QL
1. The Authority have considered detailed reports by the Chief
Constable on complaints against Police Officers which have been
dealt with under the complaints procedure. During the period 1st
April to 30th September, 1987, investigations were completed into
a total of 331 complaints, of which only 19 were found to be
substantiated and 28 were informally resolved. Of the remainder
142 were withdrawn or not proceeded with, and another 142 were
found to be unsubstantiated on investigation. Of the 19
substantiated complaints, 4 resulted in disciplinary proceedings
being taken against the officer concerned.*QL
*QL
2. The Authority, through their Complaints Panel, continue to
scrutinise closely the complaints received, and they are pleased
to report that there were no substantiated complaints of corrupt
practice, harassment or racially discriminatory behaviour. There
were two substantiated cases of assault during the period. A
total of 50 cases was referred to the Director of Public
Prosecutions but in only two cases was the prosecution of a
Police Officer recommended. 49 cases were referred to the Police
Complaints Authority and of these eleven were the subject of
detailed investigation and supervision.*QL
*QL
3. During the six month period 19 Officers received commendations
from the Chief Constable for outstanding police work and 235
letters of appreciation for Police services were received from
members of the public.*QL
*QL
M.P.R. BOYLE*QR
Chairman*QR
REVIEW OF MAXIMUM LIMIT RENT ALLOWANCE.*QL
*QL
1. The rent allowance is a sum paid to Police Officers occupying
their own houses to compensate them for rent-free accommodation
which they would have received if they had occupied a police
house. The Authority, following consultation with the Staff
Associations, had in 1985 agreed a typical police house which
could serve for the calculation of the rent allowance; this house
was again chosen in January, 1987 for the purposes of the
two-yearly review of rent allowances due on 1st October, 1987.*QL
*QL
2. The final element in the procedure is for the District Valuer to
give an independent rental valuation of the property in order
that Home Office approval to the maximum limit rent allowance can
be sought. The District Valuer's rental valuation is once again
above the figure envisaged by the Authority and will involve
payments of £517,100 in the current year, £1,199,200 in 1988/89
and £1,388,500 thereafter, an increase of 19% over the two-year
period. These figures are based on a revised maximum limit rent
allowance of £2,929.57 per annum for federated ranks and
£3,398.30 per annum for superintendents and chief
superintendents. Home Office approval to the revised rent
allowances has been obtained, and the financial effects will need
to be reflected in the Authority's budget for 1988/89. The costs
in the current year will be met from the contingency reserve.*QL
LAY VISITORS TO POLICE STATIONS.*QL
*QL
1. In December 1986 the Authority reported to the Council that they
had established a scheme of lay visits to police stations. The
object of the scheme is to enable members of the local community
to observe, comment and report on conditions under which
suspected persons are detained at police stations and on the
operation of the statutory and other rules governing their
welfare.*QL
*QL
2. The Authority have reviewed the scheme of lay visits over the
past twelve months, during which there have been a total of
eighty visits to those police stations where prisoners are
normally held and to which this scheme applies. Twenty members
of the Authority, together with 42 other community visitors
appointed by the local police liaison committees, have
participated; they have seen 135 prisoners of whom 112 were
generally satisfied with the conditions. No major matters
requiring action by the Authority or the police have arisen,
although there have been comments on such matters as decoration,
food, lighting and access to solicitors. The visitors have found
no breaches of the codes of practice governing the detention and
questioning of suspects.*QL
*QL
3. Recently some police stations have been used to accommodate
prisoners on behalf of the Home Office because of the problems
arising from the prison officers' dispute. The accommodation of
such prisoners increases the pressures on the police in busy
police stations, but where suitable opportunities have arisen the
lay visitors have satisfied themselves that the prisoners on
remand have been properly treated whilst in police custody.*QL
*QL
4. The basis of the scheme of lay visits remains that they should be
on a random and unannounced basis; it has therefore proved useful
in redressing any public anxiety about the treatment of persons
detained in police stations, and for this reason it is warmly
welcomed by the Police. The Authority and the police will
continue to provide training for lay visitors on their
responsibilities and periodic rotas will be issued allocating
different permutations to visitors of the 16 designated police
stations in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The Authority will
review the scheme of lay visits again in November 1988.*QL
LIAISON BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE POLICE.*QL
*QL
1. The Authority have reported to the Council from time to time,
most recently in December, 1986 on the development of their
arrangements for the establishment of Police Liaison Committees
in every mainland Sub-Division, with one Divisional Committee
covering the Isle of Wight. The purpose of such liaison is to
provide an opportunity for discussion and consultation on local
matters affecting the policing of Sub-Divisions and the
prevention of crime. The Authority specified standard categories
of membership, terms of reference and constitution for each
Committee. Police Liaison Committees with a membership ranging
from 20 to 25 have now been established in all areas and have
considered a wide range of local issues.*QL
*QL
2. In the light of that experience the Authority have reviewed
progress over the past two years and have sought comments from
all Committees on ways in which their effectiveness as a means of
communication with the public can be maintained and improved.
The general tenor of responses was that there was no need for any
major change to the constitution and structure of the Police
Liaison Committees.*QL
*QL
3. When the arrangements for Police Liaison Committees were
originally set up, the Authority were anxious to ensure good
communications between these new organisations and the Authority
itself, in case major issues of policy arose. For this reason
they stipulated that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of each
Police Liaison Committee should be Authority members specifically
appointed for that purpose. Practical experience shows that the
majority of items are capable of resolution at local level; this
coincides with a widely held view within the Committees that they
should be able to elect their own Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
The Authority have therefore agreed that only one Authority
member should be appointed to each Police Liaison Committee; that
each Committee should be authorised to elect their own Chairman
and Vice-Chairman; but that the Police Authority representative
should be guaranteed one of those positions in order to maintain
in the direct link. The Authority hope that this change will
help meet aspirations for greater community involvement and local
influence.*QL
*QL
4. In general terms the Authority have agreed that the existing
structure of Police Liaison Committees should be continued for a
further two year period. They concluded that efforts should be
concentrated on the urban areas since many people commented that
there appeared to be little need or demand for formal liaison in
rural areas. The Committees are being encouraged to go out more
into community organisations and youth clubs as a means of
improving liaison with the public, especially young people.
Feedback between local organisations, the Liaison Committees and
the Police needs to be further developed, and additional efforts
will be made to publicise meetings of liaison committees.*QL
*QL
5. The Authority accepted that there was no need for any change in
arrangements in Portsmouth, and have agreed that the Portsmouth
City Wide Forum, which has the task of supporting Sub-Divisional
Police Liaison Committees, should continue with its current terms
of reference. They have agreed to investigate the possible
amalgamation of the Aldershot and Farnborough liaison committees
which cover Hart District and Rushmoor Borough. The entire
structure will be reviewed again in November, 1989.*QL
THE OPTICA SCOUT AIRCRAFT.*QL
*QL
1. For the last six months the Authority, in partnership with the
Home Office, have been carrying out evaluation trials of the
Optica Scout Aircraft which is based at HMS Daedalus,
Lee-on-Solent by arrangement with the Royal Navy. Full pilot and
observer training has been carried out. The Authority have
received a detailed presentation on the valuable observation and
photographic work which can be done using a fixed-wing aircraft
like the Scout. The main tasks to which it is suited are search
(particularly in open areas), surveillance, traffic and patrol,
and considerable savings can be made in the time of officers on
the ground through effective use of the aircraft.*QL
*QL
2. The Authority are convinced of the cost-effectiveness of the
Optica Scout, which they consider to be far better value for
money than a helicoptor or any other fixed-wing aircraft
available. They have therefore agreed that an Optica Scout
Aircraft should be acquired from the manufacturers, the Brookland
Aircraft Company, together with suitable radar and navigation
systems; they have asked the Chief Constable and the County
Treasurer to settle detailed terms of the acquisition. The
Policy and Resources Committee are being asked to make the
necessary adjustments within the Authority's Capital Programme to
enable the aircraft to be purchased in the current year, and Home
Office approval is being sought.*QL
*QL
3. The Authority have also agreed that the Hampshire Constabulary
should operate a full-time Air Support Unit staffed by three
pilots and two full-time observers supplemented by additional
observers for the summer months. The proposed staff for the air
support unit will come from within the Police Authorised
Establishment. Additional revenue resources to cover fuel,
maintenance and insurance will be required and the Authority will
have to make suitable provision of about £20,000 within their
budget each year from 1988/89.*QL
REPORT OF THE*QC
HAMPSHIRE POLICE AUTHORITY.*QC
PART I*QC
*QL
There are no matters arising from the Authority's business which
require the submission of recommendations to the Council.*QL
*QL
PART II*QC
*QL
FIREARMS AND SHOTGUNS - CONTROL.*QL
*QL
1. The Authority have considered a detailed report by the Chief
Constable on the control and licensing of firearms and shotguns.
Prominent in members' minds were the recent tragic shootings in
Hungerford and Bristol.*QL
*QL
2. The sale, possession, handling and distribution of firearms and
shotguns is controlled under the Firearms Act 1968. Before a
person can purchase, sell, possess or use a firearm or shotgun he
must hold a valid firearm or shotgun certificate. In the case of
firearms, he must satisfy the Chief Constable that he can hold a
firearm without causing danger to public safety or to the peace,
that he is of temperate habits and sound mind, and that he has a
good reason to hold the weapon; good reasons normally include
sporting, target shooting and collecting. In the case of
shotguns, the Chief Constable has no option but to grant a
certificate unless he can show that the applicant is prohibited
from possessing a shotgun or would constitute a danger to public
safety or to the peace. Whilst a firearm certificate specifies
the number of weapons a holder can acquire, there are no
limitations on a shotgun certificate as to how many shotguns can
be retained, nor are records maintained of the numbers of
shotguns actually held. All applications are thoroughly
investigated by the Police before certificates are issued, and
the task of investigation is scrutinised by senior Officers.*QL
*QL
3. Members of the Authority expressed concern at the numbers of
certificates held in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight - 5,832 for
firearms and 30,786 for shotguns. They felt in particular that
the latter figure was excessive in view of likely multiple
holdings of shotguns. They suggested that the law should be
tightened up to control availability of ammunition and the sale
or disposal of firearms and shotguns; and that close
collaboration with HM Customs and Excise to control the import of
weapons should be further developed.*QL
*QL
4. The Council will know that the Home Secretary intends to
introduce legislation imposing stricter controls on firearms and
shotguns. The Authority felt that they should make
representations to the Government in favour of a more stringent
system of certification and they have therefore informed the Home
Office that they favour stricter controls on firearms, shotguns
and all amunition.*QL
5/i/R002/11/87
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