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Police service corruption not endemic, report finds Police service corruption not endemic, report finds
(about 1 hour later)
A report into police corruption in England and Wales says it is not endemic but does not give the service a "clean bill of health". A report into police corruption in England, Wales and Northern Ireland says it is not endemic but does not give forces a "clean bill of health".
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary says "more robust systems" would avoid undermining public trust. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary says there is a lack of clarity about the boundaries in relationships between police and media.
It points to a "hugely inconsistent approach" across forces in their attitude towards free gifts. It also points to a "hugely inconsistent approach" across forces in their attitude towards free gifts.
The home secretary ordered the probe amid concerns over police-media links after the phone-hacking scandal. The home secretary ordered the probe in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal.
Inspector Roger Baker, who led the review, said: "While we found no evidence of endemic corruption in police service relationships, we did find significant variations between forces and authorities in how they defined what is acceptable and what is not.Inspector Roger Baker, who led the review, said: "While we found no evidence of endemic corruption in police service relationships, we did find significant variations between forces and authorities in how they defined what is acceptable and what is not.
"This inconsistency made little sense to us and nor do we believe would it to the general public."This inconsistency made little sense to us and nor do we believe would it to the general public.
"There are no geographic boundaries when it comes to integrity and there should not be local differences in standards.""There are no geographic boundaries when it comes to integrity and there should not be local differences in standards."
The report points to 314 investigations over five years in England and Wales where there have been allegations of inappropriate relations or unauthorised disclosure of information between police and media. 'Problem with corruption'
Of these 314 only 12 related to inappropriate relations and of these only one member of staff resigned. The report href="http://www.hmic.gov.uk/media/a-review-of-police-relationships-20111213.pdf" > Without Fear of Favour points to 314 investigations over five years where there have been allegations of inappropriate relations or unauthorised disclosure of information between police and media.
The report says that polling showed that around a third of the public think there is some "problem with corruption". Of the 314, only 12 related to inappropriate relations and of these only one member of staff resigned.
When the inquiry was set up the HMIC was asked to consider instances of undue influence, inappropriate contractual arrangements and other abuses of power in police relationships with the media and other parties and to make recommendations about what needs to be done. The report said: "We found that forces lack the capacity and capability to proactively identify any inappropriate relationships."
The inspectors said forces should explore options for identifying and monitoring inappropriate relationships with, and leaks to, the media.
They also called for police forces and authorities to record "all interactions between police employees and media representatives".
HMIC inspectors visited the 43 police forces in England and Wales, as well as the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the British Transport Police, and asked the public about their perceptions of levels of police integrity.
The review found that the majority of people questioned do not think corruption is common, and trust the police to tell the truth.
However around a third of the public think there is some "problem with corruption".
'Seen to act fairly'
The President of the Police Superintendents'' Association of England and Wales, Chief Superintendent Derek Barnett, said inconsistencies in the guidance given to officers should be addressed as a "matter of urgency".
He said: "The message from the public is that they expect the police service to be fair and impartial and therefore it is a matter of critical importance that the police should not only act fairly, they must also be seen to act fairly.
"Strong and clear leadership is essential in promoting an ethical police service and ensuring that all police officers and staff act within the law and to uphold the strong reputation that we have for honesty, integrity and impartiality".
The review included relations with the media but also disclosure of information, hospitality, gratuities, procurement, contracts and business interests.
Inspectors found that forces were "outsourcing much of their back-office activity as well as procuring goods and services annually worth hundreds of millions of pounds".
"HMIC has seen instances where police officers and staff who have led on negotiations with suppliers have, upon successful conclusion of contracts, left the service and been immediately employed by that contractor - in one case as contract manager for the company's relationship with the force."
It found police forces had no clauses which would prevent contractors from employing anyone, directly or indirectly, who had served with the force for the duration of the contract.
But it said "there would certainly be merit in doing so".
"This would avoid the perception of conflicting priorities as a result of post-service 'revolving doors'," the report said.
Sir Denis O'Connor, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary said: "The British model of policing is grounded in legitimacy.
"Any real or perceived conflict of interest is problematic for the police service as it undermines public trust and erodes police legitimacy.
"It is therefore fundamentally important that the service tackles the issues identified, that it is done swiftly and in a way that is long lasting."
The chairman of the Association of Police Authorities, Mark Burns-Williamson, agreed that the bodies that oversee police forces "cannot afford to be complacent".
He said: "Across a range of issues which could cause concern, the public will expect common sense to prevail and clear standards to be enforced with consistency.
"We will work hard to implement the inspectorate's recommendations as quickly as possible and share best practice so that the public's overwhelming confidence in the police will deepen, not diminish, in the future".