THE narrative in the media and from some police leaders over recent weeks is that police officers should be guilty until proven innocent \u2013 this is not acceptable.<\/p>\n
Any reform of the police must not come at the expense of due process for officers pending or subject to conduct procedures.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s extremely concerning that we\u2019ve got senior leaders making comments that suggest there will be almost kangaroo courts for police officers when it comes to disciplinary matters.<\/p>\n
Police officers should always be subject to scrutiny \u2013 we are the most accountable to public services. However, they should also have full legal support and clear mechanisms, as would any other member of the public who was accused of wrongdoing.<\/p>\n
There are genuine cases where officers are quite rightly disciplined, but we frequently deal with false, vexatious and unproven complaints. The idea that police chiefs should have the ability to fire officers at will is very worrying. The public expects police officers to face scrutiny, but the public also expects them to go through a fair, legal process to establish the facts in any given case.<\/p>\n
As would happen for any member of that very same public.<\/p>\n
The reactionary, sensationalist response to recent high-profile cases is really damaging the reputation of policing. It\u2019s not giving our officers confidence that they will be treated fairly.<\/p>\n
There is a suggestion that officers should have their rights and legal defences curtailed because of the actions of a tiny minority. It\u2019s a very concerning development that, in my view, police leaders are not standing up for the vast, vast majority of fantastic and brave police officers.<\/p>\n