Members’ “Job Profiles”

On 30 January 2003, the Authority agreed the following “job profiles” as a description of the role of its members and the consequential responsibilities that they are expected to fulfil.

Metropolitan Police Authority Member

Role

To ensure that there is an effective and efficient police force for the metropolitan police district
To ensure that local communities receive best value in local policing services
To set the strategic direction for the force and exercise effective oversight of force performance
To represent the interests of all those who live in, work in, or visit the police authority area and to ensure that the views of local people are reflected in the nature and style of local policing
To ensure that policing services are provided fairly and in a way which does not discriminate against any group or individual
To participate constructively in the good governance of both the authority and the force

Responsibilities

To carry out collectively all statutory and locally determined requirements of a police authority member, including participation in the formulation of policy, decision making and other activities of the full authority (such as determining the budget and precept, determining local policing priorities, agreeing the annual policing/best value plan and other strategies).
To participate effectively as a member of any committee, panel, task group or other authority forum to which the member is appointed
To participate in best value reviews, as nominated by the authority
To comply with all relevant codes of conduct and maintain the highest standards of conduct and ethics
To maintain an up to date knowledge and awareness of national and local policing issues
To maintain a good working knowledge of force policies and practices and to establish good working relationships with officers of both the authority and the force
To scrutinise, challenge and monitor all aspects of force performance
To participate fully in local consultative arrangements and actively engage in communication and dialogue with local people about local policing services. In particular this responsibility will be discharged through the member’s link member role
To represent the views of the police authority within local communities and the views of local communities to the authority
To participate actively in any outside body or forum on which the member is appointed to represent the authority
To be involved in the appointment, discipline or dismissal of senior officers, as appropriate
To monitor the way in which complaints are dealt with by the force and deal with complaints against chief officers, as appropriate
To promote equality of opportunity and work to eliminate unlawful discrimination both internally within the authority and force and in the provision of policing services
To attend local, regional and national conferences/seminars/briefings, if nominated by the authority
To participate in inspections and audits of the force and authority, as appropriate

The remuneration for MPA members – the basic allowance – is based on the estimate that a member has to make a time commitment of 1 to 2 days per week to fulfil his/her responsibilities.

Chairs of Major Committees or Panels

Role

To fulfil the basic responsibilities of an authority member and to chair a major committee, panel or similar of the authority or act as a lead member for a particular portfolio which attracts a special responsibility allowance (currently audit and estates issues)

Additional responsibilities

To lead the work of a major committee of the authority
To act as the authority's lead member and spokesperson on the areas within the committee's remit
To develop and maintain up to date knowledge and specialist expertise in the area for which responsible
To liase closely with authority and force staff in developing and managing the work of the committee
To contribute to national policy development, national events or APA networks or initiatives on the areas for which responsible

The Special Responsibility Allowance for Chairs and portfolio holders is based on the estimate that a member has to make a time commitment of 1.5 to 2.5 days per week to fulfil his/her responsibilities.

Lead Member roles

The MPA Co-ordination & Policing Committee on 6 September 2002 agreed the following basis for the appointment of lead members:

To act as champion for that particular subject area, recognising that on occasions the lead member should have the freedom to act in a scrutiny or questioning capacity.
To be the initial point of contact for the MPS or others wishing to discuss issues informally with an MPA member or to sound out views.
Under some circumstances, and particularly in the event of non-availability of the Chair, to act as a spokesperson.
To contribute to policy development locally and nationally as appropriate, by representing the MPA on other bodies etc.
Committee Chairs are by definition the lead member for those areas in their committee’s terms of reference, unless another member has been allocated a specific responsibility – in such cases it is preferable for that member to be drawn from the committee’s membership.
Lead members do not have the authority to commit the MPA to a course of action or to make decisions on its behalf.
In carrying out their role or speaking publicly, the lead member must promote and represent views or policies agreed by the MPA or its committees even if these are not their own views.
Lead members have a responsibility to keep the relevant committee informed of their work by way of regular written updates, and to keep themselves informed of the key developments and issues in their lead area.
A lead member can request briefings/information on their subject area from MPA and MPS officers (within reason in terms of the time it might take to produce a briefing).
The lead member role will be reviewed annually at the time of the Authority’s annual meeting. The lead member will be asked to produce a written report of their activities during the year and an assessment of whether there is a continuing need for the role.

The lead member role does not attract a special responsibility allowance unless specifically agreed by the MPA and the general assumption is that SRAs will not apply, given that basic allowances were set at a comparatively high level to recognise such demands on MPA members.

Deputy Chairs of the Authority

Role

To fulfil the basic responsibilities of a police authority member and to hold the office of deputy chair of the authority

Additional responsibilities

To deputise for the Chair when necessary
To liaise closely with the Chair and assist him/her in overseeing conduct of the authority's business as described in the Chair's job profile
To represent the authority on the APA, if nominated to do so

Chair of the Authority

Role

To fulfil the basic responsibilities of a police authority member and hold the office of chair of the authority

Additional responsibilities

To provide leadership, ensuring that the authority works as a coherent and corporate body
To preside at authority meetings, applying standing orders and ensure that members have a fair opportunity to participate in debates
To represent the authority to the press and outside organisations
To oversee co ordination of police authority business at member level and develop, review and monitor implementation of the policies and strategies of the police authority
To liaise with the Clerk, Treasurer and Commissioner to facilitate authority business
To hold regular strategic meetings with the Commissioner and to maintain the tripartite arrangement with the Home Secretary and the Commissioner
To liaise with the Mayor of London on policing issues
To attend GLA Functional Bodies Question Time to answer questions on policing issues
To satisfy himself/herself that arrangements are in place for effective management of the police authority
To be involved in the performance appraisal and objective setting for the Clerk and Treasurer of the Authority
To represent the authority on the Association of Police Authorities
To attend regional networks and national tripartite gatherings, as required

Where the Chair is an independent or magistrate member the position will attract a special responsibility allowance which is based on the assumption that a time commitment of 2.5 to 3.5 days a week is required.

Skip Navigation \| Accessible
Metropolitan Police Authority		Accessibility About MPA Contacts Search
Home Committees News Partnerships Reports Issues Events Links Your Views
About MPA > Members > Members’ job profiles
QuickSearch About MPA only Advanced search See also The following pages on the MPA website are relevant: Members Appointment of members Geographical link member list Member's allowances Member's expenses Members attendance record Lead member roles Members’ Code of Conduct	Previous Next		Views Print Accessible Actions Comment Report crime Report fraud Send
	Page summary This resource is from the About MPA section. This Members page contains details of the agreed the role of its members and the consequential responsibilities that they are expected to fulfil. Sections available here: Members’ “Job Profiles” Metropolitan Police Authority Member Chairs of Major Committees or Panels Lead Member roles Deputy Chairs of the Authority Chair of the Authority Content Members’ “Job Profiles” On 30 January 2003, the Authority agreed the following “job profiles” as a description of the role of its members and the consequential responsibilities that they are expected to fulfil. Metropolitan Police Authority Member Role To ensure that there is an effective and efficient police force for the metropolitan police district To ensure that local communities receive best value in local policing services To set the strategic direction for the force and exercise effective oversight of force performance To represent the interests of all those who live in, work in, or visit the police authority area and to ensure that the views of local people are reflected in the nature and style of local policing To ensure that policing services are provided fairly and in a way which does not discriminate against any group or individual To participate constructively in the good governance of both the authority and the force Responsibilities To carry out collectively all statutory and locally determined requirements of a police authority member, including participation in the formulation of policy, decision making and other activities of the full authority (such as determining the budget and precept, determining local policing priorities, agreeing the annual policing/best value plan and other strategies). To participate effectively as a member of any committee, panel, task group or other authority forum to which the member is appointed To participate in best value reviews, as nominated by the authority To comply with all relevant codes of conduct and maintain the highest standards of conduct and ethics To maintain an up to date knowledge and awareness of national and local policing issues To maintain a good working knowledge of force policies and practices and to establish good working relationships with officers of both the authority and the force To scrutinise, challenge and monitor all aspects of force performance To participate fully in local consultative arrangements and actively engage in communication and dialogue with local people about local policing services. In particular this responsibility will be discharged through the member’s link member role To represent the views of the police authority within local communities and the views of local communities to the authority To participate actively in any outside body or forum on which the member is appointed to represent the authority To be involved in the appointment, discipline or dismissal of senior officers, as appropriate To monitor the way in which complaints are dealt with by the force and deal with complaints against chief officers, as appropriate To promote equality of opportunity and work to eliminate unlawful discrimination both internally within the authority and force and in the provision of policing services To attend local, regional and national conferences/seminars/briefings, if nominated by the authority To participate in inspections and audits of the force and authority, as appropriate The remuneration for MPA members – the basic allowance – is based on the estimate that a member has to make a time commitment of 1 to 2 days per week to fulfil his/her responsibilities. Chairs of Major Committees or Panels Role To fulfil the basic responsibilities of an authority member and to chair a major committee, panel or similar of the authority or act as a lead member for a particular portfolio which attracts a special responsibility allowance (currently audit and estates issues) Additional responsibilities To lead the work of a major committee of the authority To act as the authority's lead member and spokesperson on the areas within the committee's remit To develop and maintain up to date knowledge and specialist expertise in the area for which responsible To liase closely with authority and force staff in developing and managing the work of the committee To contribute to national policy development, national events or APA networks or initiatives on the areas for which responsible The Special Responsibility Allowance for Chairs and portfolio holders is based on the estimate that a member has to make a time commitment of 1.5 to 2.5 days per week to fulfil his/her responsibilities. Lead Member roles The MPA Co-ordination & Policing Committee on 6 September 2002 agreed the following basis for the appointment of lead members: To act as champion for that particular subject area, recognising that on occasions the lead member should have the freedom to act in a scrutiny or questioning capacity. To be the initial point of contact for the MPS or others wishing to discuss issues informally with an MPA member or to sound out views. Under some circumstances, and particularly in the event of non-availability of the Chair, to act as a spokesperson. To contribute to policy development locally and nationally as appropriate, by representing the MPA on other bodies etc. Committee Chairs are by definition the lead member for those areas in their committee’s terms of reference, unless another member has been allocated a specific responsibility – in such cases it is preferable for that member to be drawn from the committee’s membership. Lead members do not have the authority to commit the MPA to a course of action or to make decisions on its behalf. In carrying out their role or speaking publicly, the lead member must promote and represent views or policies agreed by the MPA or its committees even if these are not their own views. Lead members have a responsibility to keep the relevant committee informed of their work by way of regular written updates, and to keep themselves informed of the key developments and issues in their lead area. A lead member can request briefings/information on their subject area from MPA and MPS officers (within reason in terms of the time it might take to produce a briefing). The lead member role will be reviewed annually at the time of the Authority’s annual meeting. The lead member will be asked to produce a written report of their activities during the year and an assessment of whether there is a continuing need for the role. The lead member role does not attract a special responsibility allowance unless specifically agreed by the MPA and the general assumption is that SRAs will not apply, given that basic allowances were set at a comparatively high level to recognise such demands on MPA members. Deputy Chairs of the Authority Role To fulfil the basic responsibilities of a police authority member and to hold the office of deputy chair of the authority Additional responsibilities To deputise for the Chair when necessary To liaise closely with the Chair and assist him/her in overseeing conduct of the authority's business as described in the Chair's job profile To represent the authority on the APA, if nominated to do so Chair of the Authority Role To fulfil the basic responsibilities of a police authority member and hold the office of chair of the authority Additional responsibilities To provide leadership, ensuring that the authority works as a coherent and corporate body To preside at authority meetings, applying standing orders and ensure that members have a fair opportunity to participate in debates To represent the authority to the press and outside organisations To oversee co ordination of police authority business at member level and develop, review and monitor implementation of the policies and strategies of the police authority To liaise with the Clerk, Treasurer and Commissioner to facilitate authority business To hold regular strategic meetings with the Commissioner and to maintain the tripartite arrangement with the Home Secretary and the Commissioner To liaise with the Mayor of London on policing issues To attend GLA Functional Bodies Question Time to answer questions on policing issues To satisfy himself/herself that arrangements are in place for effective management of the police authority To be involved in the performance appraisal and objective setting for the Clerk and Treasurer of the Authority To represent the authority on the Association of Police Authorities To attend regional networks and national tripartite gatherings, as required Where the Chair is an independent or magistrate member the position will attract a special responsibility allowance which is based on the assumption that a time commitment of 2.5 to 3.5 days a week is required. Internal links The following pages on the MPA website are relevant: Members Appointment of members Geographical link member list Details of the linking of the Authority's 23 members with the 32 London Boroughs. Member's allowances Details of payment of allowances to Independent or Magistrate members of the MPA. Member's expenses Details of payment of expenses to Independent or Magistrate members of the MPA. Members attendance record A record of members attendance of committee meetings for previous committee year Lead member roles Lists the lead members elected to promote and represent views or policies in specific areas of work agreed by the MPA and its committees. Members’ Code of Conduct Details the expected conduct of members
	Previous Next
About MPA > Members > Members’ job profiles
© Copyright 2002-2008, Metropolitan Police Authority. \| Terms & Conditions \| Privacy \| Freedom of Information