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Standards Committee

Greater Manchester Police Authority has a legal duty under Section 53 of the Local Governement Act 2000 to set up a Standards Committee. The committee has seven statutory functions. It must:

  • Give the authority advice on adopting a local Code of Conduct
  • Monitor effectiveness of the Code
  • Train members on the Code, or arrange such training
  • Promote and maintain a high standard of conduct for members
  • Help members to follow the Code of Conduct
  • Deal with applications for dispensations
  • Deal with determinations at a local level

The committee is made up of five members of the Police Authority and two members who are independent of the authority and are selected using a recruitment process. These independent members act as the chair and vice chair of the Standards Committee. As at June 2008, these members are Ms Chris Berry, who is the chair  and Mr John Place, who is the vice chair. The Standards Committee is advised by a Monitoring Officer. As at June 2008, this is Anthony Rich. In advising the committee, Mr Rich:

  • Makes sure members of the Standards Committee understand their powers and procedures.
  • Makes sure the determination procedure is fair and will allow the allegations to be dealt with as efficiently and effectively as possible.
  • Makes sure the member about who the allegation is made about understands the procedures the Standards Committee will follow.
  • Provides advice to the Standards Committee during the hearing and their determination.
  • Helps the Standards Committee produce a written decision and summary.

The Standards Committee can monitor the effectiveness of the Code and since a change in rules in May 2008, it now deals with complaints about the conduct of Police Authority members. These were previously referred to the Standards Board for England however the Board now only receives complaints if it is deemed there would be a conflict of interest if dealt with by the Standards Committee. If allegations are considered and founded, the Standards Committee can set sanctions ranging from no further action to suspension. A press release about this topic is available.

This page was last updated on 07 November 2008