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Met Police whistleblower PC James Patrick resigns | Met Police whistleblower PC James Patrick resigns |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A police whistleblower who raised concerns about the recording of crime statistics in the Metropolitan Police has resigned from the force. | A police whistleblower who raised concerns about the recording of crime statistics in the Metropolitan Police has resigned from the force. |
PC James Patrick had said crime figures were manipulated and sexual offences were being under-reported by 22-25%. | PC James Patrick had said crime figures were manipulated and sexual offences were being under-reported by 22-25%. |
In a blog, PC Patrick said resigning had not been an "easy decision". | In a blog, PC Patrick said resigning had not been an "easy decision". |
The officer had previously faced gross misconduct proceedings, but these were downgraded after an outside force investigated the case. | The officer had previously faced gross misconduct proceedings, but these were downgraded after an outside force investigated the case. |
'No choice' | |
In the statement on his blog, PC Patrick said that his resignation had arisen directly from his treatment "as a result of making disclosures in good faith and in the public interest". | |
He added: "My experience led me to see just how flawed the whistle-blowing system is, how it fails, but also to firmly believe that no police officer should normally resign or retire while subject to any misconduct investigation; but the circumstances are such that I have no choice. | |
"It is impossible for me to see how I could ever trust the MPS [Metropolitan Police Service] again, that is something which is permanently destroyed. | |
"I have held out for as long as I can but enough is enough: the camel's back has been broken with a sledgehammer." | |
PC Patrick claimed that throughout the misconduct process the Met Police had denied that there were any senior level discussions about him. | |
However, he said, he made the decision to resign after it was discovered that "significant material does indeed exist". | |
'Massaging figures' | 'Massaging figures' |
In February, the Metropolitan Police said the hearing would now be a "formal meeting, chaired by an inspector as per national guidelines". | In February, the Metropolitan Police said the hearing would now be a "formal meeting, chaired by an inspector as per national guidelines". |
The stiffest punishment PC Patrick faced was a written warning for 18 months. | The stiffest punishment PC Patrick faced was a written warning for 18 months. |
PC Patrick told MPs on the Public Administration Select Committee (PASC) that massaging figures to hit performance targets had become "an ingrained part of policing culture". | PC Patrick told MPs on the Public Administration Select Committee (PASC) that massaging figures to hit performance targets had become "an ingrained part of policing culture". |
He claimed that serious offences including rape and child sex abuse were being recorded as "crime-related incidents" or "no crimes" and he said he had found disparities between the number of reported burglaries and those finally recorded. | He claimed that serious offences including rape and child sex abuse were being recorded as "crime-related incidents" or "no crimes" and he said he had found disparities between the number of reported burglaries and those finally recorded. |
Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has previously said there was a "truth" to PC Patrick's allegations. | Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has previously said there was a "truth" to PC Patrick's allegations. |
Following PC Patrick's resignation, Scotland Yard made no further comment. |
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