Misconduct officers in force named and shamed

IN A bid to be more open and transparent, South Yorkshire Police has published details of officers who have been struck off for misconduct over the last four years.

A register of officers who have been dismissed or resigned during disciplinary procedures since May 2009 was made available on the force’s website on 1 April.

It does not identify officers by name but does include their rank and details of the misconduct allegations.

The list comprises six police constables, two detective constables and one inspector. Allegations range from shop lifting and assault to reporting sick in order to extend holiday leave.

South Yorkshire Police is “committed to being open and transparent”, said Chief Constable David Crompton.

“This type of information is available in other professions and I think it is appropriate for us to move in a similar direction,” he said. “The vast majority of the force’s officers act professionally and with integrity at all times. They do a fantastic job but sometimes a small minority let us down.”

Mr Crompton added that he intended the list to show that the force “does not shy away from taking decisive and robust action”.

Neil Bowles, chairman of the South Yorkshire Police Federation, said: “Each and every one of those officers let the public, their colleagues and themselves down.” He said that he did not have a problem with the public register so long as all ranks were included, adding that the number of officers on the register was relatively low. “At the end of the day it is nine officers, from the rank of constable to inspector over the last four years. How many other professions could compare to those statistics?”

The move comes after Home Secretary Theresa May announced plans for a new national register of officers who have been struck off or quit during disciplinary procedures. The national register will be created, managed and published by the College of Policing.

http://www.southyorks.police.uk/our-standards/misconduct-findings