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Police chiefs end clampdown on whistleblowers Police chiefs end clampdown on whistleblowers to the media
(about 1 hour later)
Police chiefs have ended a clampdown on whistleblowers with a new code of ethics that puts officers under a "positive obligation" to challenge failings by their colleagues and their bosses. Police chiefs have ended a clampdown on whistleblowers to the media with a new code of ethics that puts officers under a "positive obligation" to challenge failings by their colleagues and their bosses.
The guidelines, produced by the College of Policing, come after criticism from the home secretary among others about falling standards and failings. It is also part of a drive to turn policing into a profession similar to medicine or law.The guidelines, produced by the College of Policing, come after criticism from the home secretary among others about falling standards and failings. It is also part of a drive to turn policing into a profession similar to medicine or law.
Launching the code Alex Marshall, head of the College of Policing, said more protection would be given to whistleblowers. Lord Justice Leveson's 2012 report into media standards and the police had stressed that confidential information should be kept within the police, unless there were exceptional reasons, and whistleblowers should instead call a confidential hotline.Launching the code Alex Marshall, head of the College of Policing, said more protection would be given to whistleblowers. Lord Justice Leveson's 2012 report into media standards and the police had stressed that confidential information should be kept within the police, unless there were exceptional reasons, and whistleblowers should instead call a confidential hotline.
Marshall said 148 officers had been sacked since December 2013 after their alleged wrongdoing was reported by their colleagues.Marshall said 148 officers had been sacked since December 2013 after their alleged wrongdoing was reported by their colleagues.
Marshall, asked about whistleblowers who go to the media because they lack faith anything will be done if they raise concerns internally, said: "We will support you."Marshall, asked about whistleblowers who go to the media because they lack faith anything will be done if they raise concerns internally, said: "We will support you."
He stressed that officers who did go to the media would need to comply with the code of ethics and said every force had a confidential way to report concerns.He stressed that officers who did go to the media would need to comply with the code of ethics and said every force had a confidential way to report concerns.
The new code says: "The policing profession will protect whistleblowers according to the law."The new code says: "The policing profession will protect whistleblowers according to the law."
It adds that policing "will not tolerate discrimination or victimisation or any disadvantageous treatment" against those raising concerns and says an officer "can never be deemed to bring the policing profession into disrepute" because of the "overriding duty to report wrongdoing."It adds that policing "will not tolerate discrimination or victimisation or any disadvantageous treatment" against those raising concerns and says an officer "can never be deemed to bring the policing profession into disrepute" because of the "overriding duty to report wrongdoing."
Marshall said the "positive obligation" to raise concerns protects junior officers complaining about their superiors .Marshall said the "positive obligation" to raise concerns protects junior officers complaining about their superiors .
He added: "We want a questioning culture ... This should create a different culture in policing which is less hierarchical."He added: "We want a questioning culture ... This should create a different culture in policing which is less hierarchical."
All those working for the police will have to be aware of the code. Breaching it will not in itself be a disciplinary offence, though police chiefs believe the existing discipline codes are thorough enough.All those working for the police will have to be aware of the code. Breaching it will not in itself be a disciplinary offence, though police chiefs believe the existing discipline codes are thorough enough.
Marshall also said police needed to be ever vigilant against corruption saying there was still a tiny minority of corrupt officers in the service, although he could not give an estimate of how many.Marshall also said police needed to be ever vigilant against corruption saying there was still a tiny minority of corrupt officers in the service, although he could not give an estimate of how many.