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Police bullying culture deterring whistleblowers, report warns Police bullying culture deterring whistleblowers, report warns
(about 9 hours later)
A bullying culture in the police means that junior officers are often too scared to confront their bosses over misconduct, a highly critical report has found.A bullying culture in the police means that junior officers are often too scared to confront their bosses over misconduct, a highly critical report has found.
The review, which uncovered cases of racism and sexism, warned there was a “bullying boys’ club culture” that gave a consistent message that “challenge is career-limiting”.The review, which uncovered cases of racism and sexism, warned there was a “bullying boys’ club culture” that gave a consistent message that “challenge is career-limiting”.
One police insider said: “What has been valued is ‘silverback’ leaders who are charismatic, have big egos and drive performance, over those who are more thoughtful and who deliver in a wider sense.One police insider said: “What has been valued is ‘silverback’ leaders who are charismatic, have big egos and drive performance, over those who are more thoughtful and who deliver in a wider sense.
“[The force] is defined by a macho, arrogant, bullying culture and it tends to recruit a particular kind of candidate in that mould.”“[The force] is defined by a macho, arrogant, bullying culture and it tends to recruit a particular kind of candidate in that mould.”
The report by the College of Policing said police chiefs have used their expenses to fund extramarital affairs and have been guilty of “potentially predatory, sexual conduct towards junior colleagues”.The report by the College of Policing said police chiefs have used their expenses to fund extramarital affairs and have been guilty of “potentially predatory, sexual conduct towards junior colleagues”.
It found that police forces had paid for gym membership, executive cars and private school fees for some chief officers’ children, while others had used expenses to line themselves up a job for after retirement.It found that police forces had paid for gym membership, executive cars and private school fees for some chief officers’ children, while others had used expenses to line themselves up a job for after retirement.
It said: “We were told that some chief officers tended to see themselves as being more akin to ‘captains of industry’ than public servants - with all the entitlements and privileges that came with the CEO role. It said: “We were told that some chief officers tended to see themselves as being more akin to ‘captains of industry’ than public servants – with all the entitlements and privileges that came with the CEO role.
“Several interviewees described a ‘culture of entitlement’ at chief officer level.”“Several interviewees described a ‘culture of entitlement’ at chief officer level.”
The study was commissioned in 2013 after a series of high-profile misconduct cases. Academics interviewed officers and investigators who had probed 40 misconduct cases, which had mainly taken place between 2008 and 2013.The study was commissioned in 2013 after a series of high-profile misconduct cases. Academics interviewed officers and investigators who had probed 40 misconduct cases, which had mainly taken place between 2008 and 2013.
Last year, the home secretary, Theresa May, announced proposals to strengthen the protection for police whistle-blowers. She told parliament: “Police officers and staff need to know that they can come forward in complete confidence to report wrongdoing by their colleagues.” Last year, the home secretary, Theresa May, announced proposals to strengthen the protection for police whistleblowers. She told parliament: “Police officers and staff need to know that they can come forward in complete confidence to report wrongdoing by their colleagues.”
But the report said that although whistleblowing was enshrined in the law, it had never been fully embedded in the police service.But the report said that although whistleblowing was enshrined in the law, it had never been fully embedded in the police service.
Interviewees said whistleblowing against chief officers was very rare, and that many whistleblowers had resigned because of the “extreme unpleasantness” of their working environment after making allegations.Interviewees said whistleblowing against chief officers was very rare, and that many whistleblowers had resigned because of the “extreme unpleasantness” of their working environment after making allegations.
Responding, the chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, Steve White, said: “The police code of ethics exists to clearly define the standards of behaviour and good practice which is expected of officers throughout the country and which they must adhere to.Responding, the chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, Steve White, said: “The police code of ethics exists to clearly define the standards of behaviour and good practice which is expected of officers throughout the country and which they must adhere to.
“Only the highest standards of conduct and performance are acceptable in policing, and when allegations of any kind are made it is essential that these are thoroughly investigated.”“Only the highest standards of conduct and performance are acceptable in policing, and when allegations of any kind are made it is essential that these are thoroughly investigated.”
White added: “The service needs strong leadership now more than ever. Police officers are facing unprecedented demand and the cracks are beginning to show. This report must be taken seriously to ensure that we have the senior officers needed to deal with the ever thinning blue line.”White added: “The service needs strong leadership now more than ever. Police officers are facing unprecedented demand and the cracks are beginning to show. This report must be taken seriously to ensure that we have the senior officers needed to deal with the ever thinning blue line.”
Prof Mike Hough, one of the report’s authors, said: “This study is a first step towards understanding how police leaders can get drawn into misconduct.Prof Mike Hough, one of the report’s authors, said: “This study is a first step towards understanding how police leaders can get drawn into misconduct.
“It identifies both organisation pressures and individual vulnerabilities that can result in misconduct among people doing very demanding jobs. Understanding these factors is central in mitigating the risks.”“It identifies both organisation pressures and individual vulnerabilities that can result in misconduct among people doing very demanding jobs. Understanding these factors is central in mitigating the risks.”