We are very grateful to all those who have engaged already with our review of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). We have had an extremely busy two months since our last progress update in February. We have been:
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- Holding an extensive series of focus groups with members of the MPS workforce, at all ranks, from all geographic areas and from a wide range of disciplines within the force.
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- Meeting with MPS staff networks, associations and trade unions.
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- Mapping and beginning to undertake a programme of visits (both planned and unannounced), interviews, observations, ‘reality testing’ activities and engagements.
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- Holding initial meetings with key stakeholders from outside the MPS, from other public bodies and specialist voluntary sector organisations who have experience of the MPS that we need to hear.
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- Meeting with individual victims/survivors of crime who expressly asked for a way to make their voice heard. This has included individuals who have been through the police complaints process, in some instances.
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- Meeting with individual serving police officers and staff who sought discreet conversations.
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- Launching a detailed workforce survey inside the MPS, which to date has had over 5,000 responses.
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- Launching a public survey of Londoners, with an alternative offer for them to make a written submission if they prefer. So far, over 1,500 Londoners have completed our public survey.
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- Making an offer to Londoners that if they wish to take part in one of a series of Citizen Engagement Forums to be run May-July, they can express an interest via our website.
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- Reviewing contact we have received following the launch of the Review, to ensure everyone who has reached out to us directly via email has received a dedicated response.
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- Reaching out to London-based organisations who work with young people, to solicit their specific insights and views (given the public survey and submissions are only available to those over 18).
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- Arranging time with dedicated scrutiny groups who provide an independent perspective on MPS activity, for example stop and search, and custody visits.
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- Writing to all London MPs and Council Leaders to inform them of progress on the Review, and to ask for their support in bringing Londoners into the conversation.
Channels to engage with the review all remain open. Please check in with friends, colleagues and neighbours whose views you think should be represented – particularly those who might not naturally find their way to these channels. And thank you again for your interest in our work.