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MPA7with the Authority’s management and development of communitypolice consultative groups and much of the work focused onimproving the central co-ordination of these groups to achieve moreconsistent standards across London. The authority participatedin the GLA group’s ‘Listening to London’ review, which sought toestablish shared practice with regards to consultation arrangementswithin the GLA group.The Authority consulted on its duty to operate an independent custodyvisiting scheme and new Home Office guidelines. A frameworkdocument was prepared on the Authority’s role and managementarrangements.A key area of work was the consultation carried out on the StephenLawrence Inquiry Report’s Recommendation 61 to require all policestops to be recorded. The Authority organised innovative exercisesto hear the views of a wide-range of stakeholders. A report reflectingthe majority support in favour of the recommendation was producedand submitted to the Home Secretary, who has since agreed to itsimplementation.Disproportionality emerged as a central issue in the Authority’sequalities and diversity work. The Authority worked in partnershipwith the MPS and other agencies, including the GLA, to look at stopand search, deaths in custody, recruitment and fair practice in theMet. It supported the controversial screening of ‘Injustice’, a filmhighlighting the concerns of families of victims who died while heldin police custody.The death of Damilola Taylor highlighted concern about youthsafety and youth crime. Considerable attention was paid to how theMetropolitan Police deal with youth crime. The Authority supporteda conference on youth crime and the black community.A number of significant areas of work kicked off during the year. A Race Hate Crimes Working Group was set up, preparations ofa Race Equality Scheme in compliance with the Race RelationsAmendment Act began, a review into diversity training for policestaff was scoped and the Authority worked with the GLA groupin carrying out a best value review of equalities.The Authority worked closely with the Met’s Diversity Directorate,for example in developing a domestic violence strategy, andin development of various elements of its diversity strategy.Comprehensive performance management information systemscovering equalities issues were also developed.Perhaps the outstanding issue of the year was community reassurancepost September 11 and disturbances in northern towns during thesummer. The Authority organised a range of events to ensure thepolice worked closely with communities and community leaders.These events highlighted the importance for the Authority to continuedevelopment of inclusive consultation and diversity objectives.MPA/MPS annual report 2001/02