Performance and Measurement
Data Quality Assurance
Police Framework Assessment Unit (PFAU) intends to ensure that all data feeding into the Police Performance Assessment Framework (PPAF) is consistent and reliable. We have been working with our policing partners on quality assurance on crime data, Activity Based Costing, detections data and preliminary work has been carried out on other measures such as sickness data, user satisfaction and front-line policing. Our aim is to move to a steady state of lighter-touch support that ensures that all strands data feeding into PPAF is accurate and consistent.
Data Quality Assurance
The aim of the Performance Data Quality Assurance Team (PDQA) is to ensure that all data used to assess the performance of forces with a focus on Statutory Performance Indicators (SPIs) is consistent, reliable and fit for purpose. We work with stakeholders and colleagues in the performance assessment team on quality assurance of data which will be used as part of the Policing Performance Assessment Framework (PPAF). This year, our audit programme includes:
- Crime data (SPI 5b/e/f);
- The National Standard for Incident Recording (NSIR
- User satisfaction (SPI 1a/b/c/d/e and SPI 3a/b) ;
- Detections (SPI 6b and SPI 7a);
- Domestic violence (SPI 8a);
- Sickness absence (SPI 13a/b);
- Fairness and equality (SPI 3e/g);
- Stop and search (SPI 3c).
NSIR data is not currently linked to an SPI. The results of audit work will be considered for use as part of PPAF Assessments, where relevant.
Crime data reviews and NSIR
The National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) was developed by the Association of Chief Police Offices (ACPO) in association with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) and the Home Office. The NCRS, which was adopted in April 2002, aims to improve the standard of crime recording in England and Wales by adopting a consistent, victim-based approach to crime recording. Work around crime data is carried out by the Audit Commission on behalf of the PDQA team, and was published last year as:
Crime Recording 2005 (new window)
NSIR has been introduced to make sure that all appropriate incidents, whether crime or non-crime, are recorded by police in a consistent and accurate manner. NSIR data is not currently incorporated within PPAF and the audit is designed to help authorities and forces to ensure they are applying the current requirements for NSIR consistently, prior to the introduction of any national measure.
In 2006/07 crime data audits will be completed in conjunction with reviews of user satisfaction and NSIR. The audit manual for this work can be found at the following link:
Police Data Quality Reviews 2006/2007
Detections
The detections audit will be undertaken by HMIC on behalf of the PDQA team and will cover:
- Cautions;
- Offences taken into consideration (TICs);
- Penalty Notices for Disorder (PNDs);
- Formal Warnings for Cannabis (FWCs);
Auditors will also be covering management arrangements around detections and will be looking at a small sample of non sanction detections and discontinued cases. The guidance for HMIC auditors covering the detections audit is attached at the link below:
This audit guide provides guidance to auditors in England and Wales undertaking reviews of police data quality for the 2006/07 audit year.
Detections Audit Manual 2006/07
Other audit work
A number of other audits will be carried out as part of the 2006/07 audit programme. Reviews of domestic violence and stop and search will be completed by HMIC at the same time as the detections audit. The sickness absence audit will be completed by an external audit partner, commissioned by PCSD. A desk based review of fairness and equality will be completed by the PDQA team.
Guidance for auditors is contained within the manual below:
Domestic Violence, Stop and Search, Sickness Absence and Fairness and Equality 2006/07 audit manual
Timetable
The audit timetable, including audit providers is set out below for reference:
| Audit | Provider | Timescale |
|---|---|---|
| Detections | HMIC | October 2006 – July 2007 |
| Domestic violence | HMIC | October 2006 – July 2007 |
| Stop and search | HMIC | October 2006 – July 2007 |
| Crime recording | Audit Commission | October 2006 – March 2007 |
| NSIR | Audit Commission | October 2006 – March 2007 |
| User satisfaction | Audit Commission | October 2006 – March 2007 |
| Sickness absence | External contractor | October 2006 – March 2007 |
| Fairness and equality | PCSD | November 2006 – March 2007 |
