Final Report of the Morris Inquiry: The Case for Change

PATHWAY TO CHANGE
“For the first time in its 175 years history, the Metropolitan Police Service is accountable to
Londoners, open to scrutiny, and required to answer for its performance in public.”
(Submission from Lord Harris, former Chair of the MPA.)
2.19 The MPS is also accountable to the Home Secretary, and other important
stakeholders include the Mayor of London, the GLA and the 32 London boroughs.
“I think, chairman, I am on record as saying I am the most accountable police chief in the
world. Of that there is no doubt. If one looked at the number of bodies one is accountable
to, and I make no complaint about this … I think there is something in the region of 22/26
bodies that I am accountable to.” (Evidence of the Commissioner, Sir John Stevens.)
2.20 The MPA has the same duties and powers in relation to the oversight of
policing as all other police authorities in England and Wales. Specifically, the
Authority’s functions are to:
● increase community confidence and trust in London’s police service;
● secure continuous improvement in the way policing is provided;
● publish an Annual Policing Plan in consultation with London’s communities;
● set policing targets and monitor performance regularly against those
targets;
● be accountable for the management of the police budget;
● agree the annual costed Human Resources plan and the priorities for
training;
● oversee the appointment and discipline of senior police officers; and
● oversee formal inquiries and the implementation of their recommendations.
2.21 Other police authorities appoint their Chief Constable, subject only to the
approval of the Home Secretary. In London, the Queen formally appoints the two
most senior officers, the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner, on the
recommendation of the Home Secretary, who must have regard to the
recommendations made by the MPA. Other chief officers – the ‘ACPO ranks’ –
are appointed by the MPA.
2.22 In addition, other police authorities set their own budget and precept upon
the relevant local authorities that raise the local element of the council tax. In
London, under the 1999 Act, the MPA prepares an annual budget for policing
London and submits it to the Mayor, who has the responsibility for setting the
budget in conjunction with the Greater London Assembly. The Mayor then
precepts on the boroughs for the element that is payable from local council tax.
2.23 The Commissioner is responsible for the ‘direction and control’ of the
MPS and, in discharging that function, must have regard to the Annual Policing
Plan, published by the MPA, and to any guidance or code of practice issued by the
Home Secretary.
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