Police sergeants are afraid to challenge scruffy constables because they fear being accused of bullying, an official report suggests.
Police sergeants are refusing to reprimand scruffy Pcs because of fears they will be accused of bullying, a 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 blames a culture of complaining constables.
The HMIC suggests sergeants in England and Wales are issued with a set of standards to improve effectiveness.
Examples of officers not sticking to the police dress code include not wearing ties or epaulettes.
Police Minister Tony McNulty said the report "raised important issues."
Police Minister Tony McNulty said the survey of 4,800 officers in England and Wales "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.
The HMIC report also disclosed that nearly half of a frontline sergeant's time was spent on paperwork.
It suggested sergeants in England and Wales should be issued with a set of standards to improve effectiveness.
In the report, one chief superintendent was quoted as saying that there was "no enforcement" of the 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
"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 added: "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
'Blue murder'
HMIC inspectors say they witnessed a number of incidents which led them to express concern about the "conduct and professionalism" of police officers.
A female sergeant said she had witnessed another sergeant being sworn at after suggesting a constable needed a haircut.
Another sergeant said: "Pcs now get away with blue murder as people are afraid to challenge them due to HR [human resources] legislation and are not supported by managers."
One sergeant told the HMIC: "There is no adherence to simple dress codes such as ties and not wearing hats."
A chief superintendent added: "We pondered whether we should challenge staff about poor standards but had to admit that we [superintendents] often had poor dress, such as no tie or epaulettes."
We will look hard at the recommendations and I welcome their broad thrust Tony McNultyPolice Minister
HMIC inspectors said 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 system 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 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 was despite government promises to cut the amount of time frontline police officers spend filling in forms.
'Urgent need'
The report recommended 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.
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.
Standards eroded
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.
Sgt John Giblin of the Police Federation told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that sergeants felt "undervalued" and lacked operational support.
Mr McNulty said of the report: "We will look hard at the recommendations and I welcome their broad thrust.
"These are the people that make the fundamental difference to the quality of service experienced by local people. Some would say perhaps there has been of late an erosion of standards," he said.
Cheshire Chief Constable Peter Fahy, of Acpo, said: "Good sergeants have no problem in ensuring their constables meet basic standards of smart turnout and politeness without having to issue formal orders.
"We expect our staff to police to the highest standards of professionalism, drawing on their sense of pride and dedication. The overwhelming majority do so, day in and day out.â
'Hard work'
Mr McNulty said: "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".
Do you work with scruffy constables? Have you had leadership problems at work? Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124:
Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve said police priorities had been distorted and the role of the police sergeant undermined by "Labour's obsession with targets and red tape".
"As the report suggests, there is 'compelling need for improvement' but this can only happen if we empower officers," he said.
Do you work with scruffy constables? Have you had leadership problems at work? Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124:
