Agenda and draft minutes

It was proposed and seconded that Cllr Mochrie-Cox be elected chair of the sub-panel.

RESOLVED that Cllr Mochrie-Cox be elected chair of the Kent and Medway Police and Crime Panel Complaints Sub-Panel. 

Apologies were received from Cllr Peter Fleming, Cllr Lesley Dyball was substituting. 

RESOLVED that the Police and Crime Commissioner Code of Conduct be noted.

RESOLVED that the Police and Crime Panel Policy for Handling Complaints about the Police and Crime Commissioner be noted.

That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 & 2 of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED: That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 & 2 of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Public minute of exempt business

Members listened to a recording of the BBC Radio Kent radio interview with Julia George and Matthew Scott and made the following comments in relation to the complaint:

-       The Panel supported the Commissioner in his response to the text message.

-       The Panel applauded the behaviour of the Commissioner in his work against Violence against Women and Girls. 

-       The Panel considered the seven principles of public life, and the general obligations, and did not consider that the PCC conducted himself in a manner which was contrary to the protocol. 

It was, however, noted that the Commissioner described the complainant in a negative manner rather than commenting on their conduct. The Panel considered the language used by the Police and Crime Commissioner and suggested that it would have been more appropriate to address the behaviour (the comment) without describing the individual in this way.   

The Panel applauded the Commissioner in his work against Violence against Women and Girls and offered their support towards further education in this area. 

The Panel did not consider that the PCC should offer an apology for his comments, he was asked to reflect on his reactionary language and the Panel supported the Commissioner in his work against Violence against Women and Girls. 

RESOLVED that the complaint not be upheld and no formal action should be taken against the Commissioner.  The Panel ask that the Commissioner notes their observation in relation to addressing the behaviour of the individual rather than the person.    The Commissioner to be advised in writing of this.