South Yorkshire Police And Crime Commissioner’s Response To HMIC Report

Jan. 23, 2013 - PRLog -- South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Shaun Wright today welcomed the Home Office statement on the integrity of the police service following a report from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) which identified a number of improvements made by South Yorkshire Police relating to integrity and accountability.

Commissioner Wright, ever mindful of questions relating to police integrity, is aware that few forces provide any policy or guidance relating to key integrity issues, and similarly, few have proactive or effective systems in place to manage these issues. He said:

“I welcome the HMIC report and acknowledge its findings. Nationally, the level of trust in, and expectations of the police remain high, and it’s my intention to ensure robust policing is in place in South Yorkshire at all times in order to maintain this.

“My accountability to the people of South Yorkshire will be evident in my openness and transparency as promised to the people who voted me into office.

“One of my key priorities is to see suitable systems, processes and measures in place to address those areas in the report that require improvement and to ensure these in turn contribute to the highest levels of police integrity. I want to ensure we have learned our lesson in relation to questions of integrity from, for example, events such as the Leveson Inquiry, or more recently, the Downing Street ‘Plebgate’ matter.

“I want to see due diligence being exercised at all times by avoiding inappropriate comments on internet sites such as Facebook, Twitter or other social media sites. I also want to know that opportunities for secondary employment do not in any way conflict with, or jeopardise a Police officer’s primary role, and that public service is not compromised by the acceptance of gifts or hospitality outside accepted guidelines.

“This is all about identifying, monitoring and managing risks and being able to progress without ‘creating fear or granting favour’.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1.   Commissioner Wright has already stated his commitment to working in partnership across a range of agencies at local, regional and national level to ensure there is a unified approach to preventing and reducing crime in South Yorkshire. He wants to ensure that community needs are met as effectively as possible, and he recognises that by building confidence and restoring trust, this in turn will greatly improve local relationships.

2.   The Police and Crime Commissioner, based at the South Yorkshire Joint Authorities in Barnsley, is an elected individual who oversees policing in South Yorkshire (Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster). The role of the Commissioner is to be the voice of the people and hold the police to account. The Commissioner does not run the police, as this is the responsibility of the Chief Constable.

3.   The Commissioner is responsible for representing the public within South Yorkshire, cutting crime, reducing reoffending and delivering an effective and efficient police service within South Yorkshire.

4.   The Police and Crime Commissioner replaced the former Police Authority on the 22nd of November 2012.