Bent Coppers
The Times reports that the UK Government has backed away from a long overdue reform of the police service which would have stopped the practice of serving officers being allowed to retire even if they face serious disciplinary charges.
The original proposals have been significantly watered down and to its shame the Police Federation (the police trade union) argued that it was 'more cost effective' to let potentially serious wrongdoers walk away rather than be held to account for their behaviour.
Now this is the kind of issue on which you would expect cross party agreement, but who knows maybe the Scottish Parliament will pick up the baton since the new rules from the Home Office will only affect England and Wales.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/police-officers-facing-misconduct-inquiries-are-allowed-to-retire-b52hvkmlz?shareToken=697d32d75177de3b5de0496adb984b8c
Police officers facing misconduct inquiries are allowed to retire
By Fiona Hamilton - The Times
There were concerns that scores of officers accused of wrongdoing were quitting to avoid punishment - PA:PRESS ASSOCIATION WIRE
Police officers under investigation for misconduct are to be allowed to resign or retire after the government reversed one of its key police reforms.
In January 2015 Theresa May, as home secretary, announced regulations that kept officers facing misconduct proceedings in their jobs until the outcome, if the possible penalty was dismissal.
The move came after concerns were voiced that scores of officers accused of wrongdoing were quitting to avoid punishment, in many cases moving to another force.
At the time the Home Office said that it was making the change to ensure that “officers were held to account for their actions”, so that the truth could be established in public and police learnt the full lessons of each incident of serious misconduct.
However, regulations that come into force on Friday, under the Policing and Crime Act which received royal assent in January, will again allow officers to resign or retire before proceedings.
Misconduct proceedings will continue in the absence of the officer. Former officers found guilty of gross misconduct will be placed on a “barred list”, as will officers who are sacked after misconduct hearings.
The list will not be made public, but can be reviewed by other forces. Gross misconduct proceedings could also be brought against officers in the 12 months after they have resigned or retired.
It is understood that the Home Office reversed its rule change, with those safeguards, because forces have had to pay the salaries of officers who would otherwise have left. There have been numerous cases in which officers have been suspended on full pay while the subject of misconduct investigations.
The Police Federation said that letting officers retire was more cost effective.
The new regulations acknowledge the “public perception” that some police officers who committed serious wrongdoing had avoided accountability through resignation or retirement, damaging public confidence.
The rules add: “At the same time, not allowing officers accused of misconduct to resign or retire while investigations are ongoing creates an unsatisfactory situation for the police force and the officer concerned.”
A Home Office spokeswoman said that hearings would include former officers and that they would be prevented from rejoining the service if a hearing resulted in a finding amounting to dismissal.
Police officers under investigation for misconduct are to be allowed to resign or retire after the government reversed one of its key police reforms.
In January 2015 Theresa May, as home secretary, announced regulations that kept officers facing misconduct proceedings in their jobs until the outcome, if the possible penalty was dismissal.
The move came after concerns were voiced that scores of officers accused of wrongdoing were quitting to avoid punishment, in many cases moving to another force.
At the time the Home Office said that it was making the change to ensure that “officers were held to account for their actions”, so that the truth could be established in public and police learnt the full lessons of each incident of serious misconduct.
However, regulations that come into force on Friday, under the Policing and Crime Act which received royal assent in January, will again allow officers to resign or retire before proceedings.
Misconduct proceedings will continue in the absence of the officer. Former officers found guilty of gross misconduct will be placed on a “barred list”, as will officers who are sacked after misconduct hearings.
The list will not be made public, but can be reviewed by other forces. Gross misconduct proceedings could also be brought against officers in the 12 months after they have resigned or retired.
It is understood that the Home Office reversed its rule change, with those safeguards, because forces have had to pay the salaries of officers who would otherwise have left. There have been numerous cases in which officers have been suspended on full pay while the subject of misconduct investigations.
The Police Federation said that letting officers retire was more cost effective.
The new regulations acknowledge the “public perception” that some police officers who committed serious wrongdoing had avoided accountability through resignation or retirement, damaging public confidence.
The rules add: “At the same time, not allowing officers accused of misconduct to resign or retire while investigations are ongoing creates an unsatisfactory situation for the police force and the officer concerned.”
A Home Office spokeswoman said that hearings would include former officers and that they would be prevented from rejoining the service if a hearing resulted in a finding amounting to dismissal.
