Freedom of Information Act Publication Scheme. Publication Scheme Y/N Yes. Version 4.0 Summary

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1 Freedom of Information Act Publication Scheme Protective Marking Not Protectively Marked Publication Scheme Y/N Yes Title Gifts and Hospitality Policy Statement and EIA Version 4.0 Summary Gifts and Hospitality Policy Statement and Equality Impact Assessment (B)OCU or Unit, Directorate DPS Author Review Date October 2020 Date Issued 31 st October 2016

2 Freedom of Information Publication Scheme Protective Marking: Not Protectively Marked Publication (Y/N): Y Title: Gifts and Hospitality Policy Statement and EIA Summary: Gifts and Hospitality Policy Statement and Equality Impact Assessment Branch / OCU: DPS Date created: 31 st October 2016 Review date: October 2020 Version: 4.0 Author: Shanee McCoy Application When? This Policy applies with immediate effect. Who? All police officers and police staff, including the extended police family and those working voluntarily or under contract to the Mayor s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) or the Commissioner must be aware of, and are required to comply with, all relevant Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) policy and associated procedures. This Policy applies in particular to officers and staff in the following roles: (This list is not intended to be exhaustive.) Policy Principles It is the policy of the MPS that Police Officers, Special Constables and volunteers as well as staff employed by or under the direction and control of the Commissioner must not accept gifts, hospitality or other benefits or services that would place them, or be perceived to place them, under an obligation or compromise their judgement and integrity. Offers of gifts and hospitality must therefore be declined with an explanation of this policy. The only exception to this is where it can clearly be justified that to refuse would cause serious offence or damage working relations. All offers of gifts and hospitality whether accepted or declined (with the exception of the examples provided in the toolkit) will be recorded in approved gifts and hospitality registers. All gifts and hospitality registers must be regularly authorised, audited and published. A flow chart outlining the process is provided. Health and Safety Impact Statement This policy does not directly impact on the health and safety of Police Officers, Special Constables, volunteers and staff employed by or under the direction and control of the Commissioner. 1

3 Purpose and Benefits Police Officers, Special Constables and volunteers as well as staff, including authorising officers, must always consider whether the acceptance of a gift or hospitality is appropriate and legal, and how it is likely to reflect upon the reputation of the MPS. Any gift or offer of hospitality that is accepted must be justifiable in terms of the benefit to policing London. On occasions where it is clear that to refuse a gift would cause serious offence or damage working relations, then the gift should be donated to a charity chosen by the MPS, and the acceptance noted, with an authorising officer's rationale, in the Gifts and Hospitality Register. When considering the acceptance of items or services for use by the MPS, e.g. donations of items for use by police, or the loan of premises, it is important to consider: the motivation for the offer; the public perception of acceptance; the potential impact of acceptance on public confidence in the MPS's integrity, and whether, what at first sight appears to be an innocent offer could later become the subject of adverse comment or criticism. Associated Documents and Policies Reporter of Wrongdoing policy Bribery Act 2010 Standards of Professional Behavior Police Staff Discipline SOP Code of Ethics Declarable Association SOP MPS Customer & Commercial Services Events Sponsorship and Intellectual Property Unit Authorisation Form Electronic Register Notices to be Cancelled / Amended Item 3, Notices 06/12, 08 February

4 Equality Impact Assessment Research and consultation Review of research Internal consultation External Consultation N/A. The following were consulted in the development of this toolkit: Directorate of Legal Services, Safety and Health Risk Management Team (SHRMT), Finance Business Partner, Information Assurance Unit (IAU) and staff associations and Trade Unions. In addition frontline officers Business single point of contacts - who deal with declarations of gifts and hospitality were consulted. External consultation was carried out with the Mayor s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC). Protected Characteristics (Equality Act 2010) Summary of Equality Impact Assessment Age Deaf/ disability Gender reassignment Pregnancy and Maternity Race Religion or belief Sex The Gifts and Hospitality policy outlines the process for declaring any gifts and hospitality to ensure full transparency and accountability. The process involves completing a form and having senior managers sign it off. Therefore, there are no identified impact on any protected characteristic community at this stage. However, policy monitoring process will capture and address any that may arise in the future. 3

5 Sexual Orientation Other issues for example: Low income groups, single parents, rough sleepers There is no impact identified on people from this Protected Characteristic at this stage There are no issues identified at this stage. Monitoring 12 month implementation plan This policy will be implemented across the MPS with additional communication to officers and staff to ensure they are aware of the policy and corporate standards for handling and declaring gifts and hospitality. Monitoring of this policy via dip sampling of register returns and running a report to see if any staff have been subject to misconduct following failing to declare a gift or hospitality. 4