Police sergeants are afraid to challenge scruffy constables because they fear being accused of bullying, an official report suggests.
Police sergeants are afraid to challenge scruffy constables because they fear being accused of bullying, an official report suggests.
The Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) report also discloses that nearly half a frontline sergeant's time is spent on paperwork.
The Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) report also discloses that nearly half a frontline sergeant's time is spent on paperwork.
The HMIC suggests that officers are issued with a new set of standards to improve their effectiveness.
The HMIC suggests that officers are issued with a new set of standards to improve their effectiveness.
Police Minister Tony McNulty said the report "raised important issues."
Police Minister Tony McNulty said the report "raised important issues."
No fibre
No fibre
In the report, which consists of a survey and interviews with 4,800 police officers, one chief superintendent is quoted as saying that there is "no enforcement" of the police dress code.
In the report, which consists of a survey and interviews with 4,800 police officers, one chief superintendent is quoted as saying that there is "no enforcement" of the police dress code.
He said: "The sergeants do not have the necessary fibre to challenge the constables.
He said: "The sergeants do not have the necessary fibre to challenge the constables.
We will look hard at the recommendations and I welcome their broad thrust Police Minister Tony McNulty
We will look hard at the recommendations and I welcome their broad thrust Police Minister Tony McNulty
"This is due to the culture of counter-bullying, where constables who are challenged take a grievance out against the sergeant who challenged them, stating they have been bullied in the workplace."
"This is due to the culture of counter-bullying, where constables who are challenged take a grievance out against the sergeant who challenged them, stating they have been bullied in the workplace."
One sergeant complained: "I am fed up with the amount of times I have to justify myself to PCs when I've given them a lawful order."
One sergeant complained: "I am fed up with the amount of times I have to justify myself to PCs when I've given them a lawful order."
Dangerous dog
Dangerous dog
HMIC inspectors say they witnessed a number of incidents which led them to express concern about the "conduct and professionalism" of police officers.
HMIC inspectors say they witnessed a number of incidents which led them to express concern about the "conduct and professionalism" of police officers.
These included a newly-qualified constable who initially refused to go to the scene of a dangerous dog loose in a garden because he was "not going to put himself in danger".
These included a newly-qualified constable who initially refused to go to the scene of a dangerous dog loose in a garden because he was "not going to put himself in danger".
Another sergeant admitted after a shift briefing that officers had not used an electronic intelligence because they "didn't like using the computer" and preferred to keep a book instead.
Another sergeant admitted after a shift briefing that officers had not used an electronic intelligence because they "didn't like using the computer" and preferred to keep a book instead.
The report, commissioned last year by the Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Ronnie Flanagan, also found that 45% of a sergeant's time was spent on paperwork - 31% on general administration and 14% on management and human resources.
The report, commissioned last year by the Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Ronnie Flanagan, also found that 45% of a sergeant's time was spent on paperwork - 31% on general administration and 14% on management and human resources.
This is despite government promises to cut the amount of time frontline police officers spend filling in forms.
This is despite government promises to cut the amount of time frontline police officers spend filling in forms.
'Urgent need'
'Urgent need'
The report says there is an "urgent need" to re-examine processes for preparing frontline sergeants for their roles, and for the significant responsibility they carry.
The report says there is an "urgent need" to re-examine processes for preparing frontline sergeants for their roles, and for the significant responsibility they carry.
It calls for a review of leadership skills and recommends that the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) and the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) should develop a set of national standards for the role of frontline sergeant.
It calls for a review of leadership skills and recommends that the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) and the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) should develop a set of national standards for the role of frontline sergeant.
Mr McNulty said of the report: "We will look hard at the recommendations and I welcome their broad thrust.
Mr McNulty said of the report: "We will look hard at the recommendations and I welcome their broad thrust.
"The hard work and commitment shown every day by the police service's sergeants is key to the delivery of frontline police services to the public."
"The hard work and commitment shown every day by the police service's sergeants is key to the delivery of frontline police services to the public."
He said the government would soon publish proposals in a Green Paper on policing which would show "how we will ensure that leadership on all levels can effectively support standard setting for the frontline".
He said the government would soon publish proposals in a Green Paper on policing which would show "how we will ensure that leadership on all levels can effectively support standard setting for the frontline".
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