West Midlands PEEL 2015

HMIC found that West Midlands Police articulates its values effectively, and staff commented that an ethical culture is something they live and breathe. We found that messages from chief officers are not always applied consistently across the force and there is a perception of inconsistency in decision-making.

The force ensures promotion and selection processes are free from bias and it is trying to increase recruitment from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities to become more representative of the population of the West Midlands.

We found a comprehensive occupational health service and action taken to understand the wellbeing of the workforce. The force has undertaken consultation regarding the change programme using an online staff survey to better understand the views and experiences of the workforce.

The force promotes the Code of Ethics and incorporates its principles into relevant training. Practical understanding of the code is enhanced using an online debate about real-life dilemmas. Further work is required to ensure the application of the code is understood fully at all levels.

HMIC considered that West Midlands Police is taking positive steps to ensure that complaints and misconduct matters for officers and staff are being dealt with fairly and consistently.

This question has not been inspected or graded in 2015.

In West Midlands Police HMIC found that officers and staff at all levels in the organisation understand their communities and know that providing a quality service and effective engagement has a positive effect on public confidence and police legitimacy.

Staff demonstrated a good awareness of the communities they serve and each neighbourhood has a neighbourhood profile, although we found that in some areas of the force the neighbourhood information needs to be refreshed. Community tension summaries and impact assessments are used effectively.

The force engages well with the numerous communities it serves and there is a range of tailored methods from social media to conventional face to face meetings that are used to seek the views of the community and provide feedback and reassurance. They actively consult with the people they serve to identify their preferred method of engagement.

The chief constable has been active in delivering a message to the organisation that they should seek to provide: “a service of which our friends and family would be proud”. This message is resonating with staff and we found that members of the public are generally being treated fairly and with respect when they come into contact with the West Midlands Police.

HMIC found that West Midlands Police is not complying with some aspects of the Best Use of Stop and Search scheme.

There is a good internal structure that allows robust scrutiny of stop and search and effective external overview through a series of local scrutiny panels, who examine a comprehensive array of data. The force also effectively monitors the impact of the use of stop and search powers on young people and members of black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

HMIC was particularly impressed by the innovative use of technology in relation to stop and search that enabled the person searched easy access to information on police powers, how to make a complaint or give feedback.

There is a comprehensive understanding, oversight and scrutiny of the use of Taser within West Midlands Police and HMIC was particularly impressed with the willingness to share data with the public through the police and crime board meetings which are broadcast on the internet.

Taser-trained officers use the National Decision Model (the framework by which all policing decisions should be made, examined and challenged) to good effect and have a comprehensive understanding of the model and all the restrictions applicable to the use of Taser. HMIC is satisfied that the use of Taser in West Midlands Police is fair and appropriate.

As West Midlands Police was not compliant in one or two aspects of the Best Use of Stop and Search Scheme in 2015, HMIC revisited the force in 2016 to assess improvements made since the initial inspection.

Best Use of Stop and Search letter – West Midlands Police