Dinwoodie Bequest

A former police inspector of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), Mr Gordon Dinwoodie has bequeathed £50,000 for the Commissioner to use in the manner of his choosing. MPS recommend acceptance of the legacy and to invest it in a bursary for existing and former Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC) to undertake formal education prior to becoming a police officer.

That the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime (DMPC) approve the acceptance of a legacy of £50,000 from a former MPS police inspector, and to use the funds to support existing or former Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC) individuals wishing to have a career in policing who cannot afford the Certificate in Knowledge of Policing.

Introduction and background

1. A former police Inspector with the Metropolitan Police Service, Mr. Gordon Dinwoodie has bequeathed £50,000 for the Commissioner to use in manner of his choosing for the benefit of the Metropolitan Police
2. The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) may, in connection with the discharge of any of its functions or of the police force maintained by it, accept gifts
3. The Commissioner and Management Board considered a number of options and now recommend to the DMPC to accept this legacy and invest it in a bursary scheme for existing and former Volunteer Police Cadets who wish to undertake formal education pursuant to becoming a police officer.

Issues for consideration

1. The MPS consulted on 4 options for the funding
   1. To support officer welfare and rehabilitation or improve the chances of ill health recovery and return to work.
   2. Bursary for individuals wanting a career in policing who cannot afford to fund the Certificate in Knowledge of Policing.
   3. To support the ‘Commissioners Commitments’ to staff. Annually the Commissioners makes a number of commitments with the aim to address practical issues and make it easier for officers and staff to do their jobs
   4. To invest in new or expand Volunteer Police Cadet Units.
2. Following consultation, a fifth (recommended) option was developed. The MPS believes this aligns with the reason behind the legacy i.e. the financial support provided to Mr Dinwoodie to study law at University College London.

Financial Comments

1. As a gift of income, there are no negative financial implications for the preferred option 5.
2. The total fund of £50k would be available for bursaries as the administrative costs would be absorbed by the MPS

Legal Comments

1. The MOPAC, as the local policing body, under section 93(1) of the Police Act 1996 "may, in connection with the discharge of any of its functions, accept gifts of money, and gifts of loans or other property, on such terms as appear to the body to be appropriate".
2. The MOPAC Scheme of Delegation requires all sponsorship arrangements, whether inward or outwards which have a value of £50k or more to be approved by the DMPC (paragraph 4.8), and, for inward MPS donations and sponsorship, for values below £50k that the Director of Commercial and Finance’s approval is required (paragraph 7.7).

Equality Comments

1. There is no equality and diversity implication to the organisation accepting a legacy from an individual where there is no condition attached to the bequest.
2. The recommended option does provide a unique chance to allow for further engagement with young people and offer a positive opportunity to a number of disadvantaged young people over the next few years