Professional Standards and Quality Committee

• To fulfil the obligations of the Authority in relation to complaints including the Police Reform Act 2002 and Part IV of the Police Act 1996 in connection with the complaints and discipline process and professional standards of the force and where necessary to seek changes in procedures and performance to enhance public confidence
• To monitor force performance in relation to complaints of all categories
• To ensure that the Authority is aware of the community confidence in the complaints and discipline process
• To act on behalf of the Authority in consideration of complaints against chief officers and other police officers
• To maintain an overview of civil proceedings against West Midlands Police, including claims being handled by the Authority’s insurers
• To monitor the number of officers suspended from duty pending disciplinary investigations
• To appoint lay members to sit on misconduct panels
• To act on behalf of the Authority when handling complaints referred to the Authority by the Independent Police Complaints Commission
• To consider reports and guidance from external agencies including the Independent Police Complaints Commission, HMIC, external auditors and the Audit Commission
• To fulfil the obligations of the Authority in relation to custody visiting, including reviewing the performance of the independent custody visiting scheme and to seek improvements in custody arrangements as a consequence of visitor recommendations
• To consider requests, in consultation with the Chair of Finance and Resources, for financial assistance from police officers arising from legal proceedings
• To monitor the Authority’s work in respect of misconduct and appeals proceedings
• To alert other committees of any relevant matters that arise as a consequence of the committees terms of reference
• To have due regard, in exercising its responsibilities, to equal opportunities generally and the requirements of all equalities and anti-discrimination legislation, including implementation of the equalities schemes of both the Authority and force
• To have due regard, in exercising its responsibilities, to risk issues generally and the specific risk issues contained within the force and Authority risk registers
• To consider any other matters deemed relevant to these terms of reference