Text message kiss ‘serious corruption’
POLICE: Officers in Yorkshire are being warned that putting a kiss on a text message to a witness or victim of crime could be deemed ‘serious corruption’.
Chief constables around the country have been urged to ensure that all cases involving abuse of authority for sexual gain are referred to the police watchdog.
Personnel who abuse their position have no place in policing. Dame Anne Owers, chairwoman of the IPCC.
POLICE IN Yorkshire are being warned that putting a kiss on a text message to a witness or victim of crime could be deemed ‘serious corruption’ in the aftermath of a national scandal over sexual misconduct in the service.
Chief constables around the country were urged to ensure that all cases involving abuse of authority for sexual gain are referred to the police watchdog after the scale of the problem emerged in a national report.
And the West Yorkshire Police department that deals with complaints and concerns about conduct has now revealed that what might be considered innocuous behaviour will now be dealt with by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
A report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in December revealed that more than 300 police officers have been accused of using their position to sexually exploit people, including victims of crime.
HMIC said abuse of authority for sexual gain was now the “most serious” form of corruption facing police in England and Wales.
According to a report by West Yorkshire’s Professional Standards Department: “The IPCC have now directed that all such cases must be referred to them, no matter how or what form the contact takes.
“Any inappropriate contact, even a kiss on a text message sent by an officer to a victim or witness to a crime is deemed to be inappropriate and is classed as serious corruption by the IPCC, requiring an immediate referral.”
Responding to the HMIC report at the time, Policing Minister Brandon Lewis said the vast majority of police officers and police staff conduct themselves with the highest standards of integrity.
He added: “However, HMIC’s findings indicate that more is needed from the policing profession as a whole to demonstrate to the public, and to the perpetrators, that there is no place in policing for those who abuse their authority for sexual gain.”
He promised a national strategy led by the National Police Chiefs Council for dealing with abuse of authority for sexual gain and associated corruption would be ready by the end of March.
The strategy has yet to be launched but the NPCC said this would happen in the next few weeks. Some local forces have already done work internally on raising awareness.
In West Yorkshire, there will be an online video message for staff from the deputy chief constable, as well as training packages and guides for supervisors on what to look out for.
Two recent cases saw West Yorkshire officers dismissed without notice for similar conduct. One was sacked for starting a relationship with a vulnerable female who they met through the course of their duties, while another abused his position by making inappropriate contact with a female victim of crime. In April this year, the IPCC sent out guidance to police around the country that, as of May 22, “abuse of position for a sexual purpose or for the purpose of pursuing an improper emotional relationship” was among the allegations where a referral was mandatory.
IPCC chair Dame Anne Owers told The Yorkshire Post: “Police personnel who abuse their position and exploit vulnerable people for sexual gratification have no place in policing. For that reason, it is important that all allegations of sexual abuse or exploitation are referred to the IPCC to determine whether they require independent investigation.”
She added: “I am very pleased that West Yorkshire Police is taking a proactive approach and promoting this issue with its officers.”