Credit card crackdown expected at police authority

Auditors at Cleveland Police Authority have concluded the rules governing credit card usage fail to provide assurance they are “suitably designed, consistently applied or effective”.

The Yorkshire Post has previously revealed that restaurant bills on a card issued to Dave McLuckie totalled more than £4,000 between 2006 and 2010, with one bill running to £767.53, two topping £300 and five more above £200.

The Cleveland force and its police authority are at the centre of a major inquiry – called Operation Sacristy – which is largely staffed by North Yorkshire Police and overseen by the head of the new National Crime Agency, Keith Bristow.

Coun McLuckie resigned from the authority last May after it emerged he might become part of the focus of the inquiry. He was arrested on suspicion of corrupt practice in November.

He declined to comment on his credit card usage but has previously categorically denied any wrongdoing.

A report to the police authority’s executive, which meets today, urges a speedy implementation of recommendations to tighten the rules around credit cards.

It says a pre-planned review of card usage was brought forward “as a result of matters recently brought to the attention of the authority”. Although the findings are only considered interim, with further work to be undertaken, the report says the authority should not wait to tighten procedures

Internal auditors found the existing protocol around credit card usage is undated, adding: “It is unclear when the protocol was written, who by and who reviewed and approved the protocol.”

Auditors recommended it be overhauled to ensure it properly governs a range of issues including restrictions on expenditure and personal use, timely submission of appropriate receipts, value for money and disciplinary action for non-compliance with the rules.

Testing of the provision of receipts to underpin spending on the credit cards found “itemised receipts were not available in all cases” with auditors stating further information on receipts is to be provided to both the authority and the Cleveland force separate to the report.

Auditors also found “a number of business expenditure items that require further analysis” after checking the legitimacy of transactions.

The police authority declined to comment ahead of consideration of the report by members.

Operation Sacristy is looking at a wide range of potential criminal issues and possible officer misconduct.

Chief constable Sean Price, his deputy Derek Bonnard – who are both suspended – and former force solicitor Caroline Llewellyn were all arrested in August on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, fraud by abuse of position and corrupt practice. They have all been bailed and none have been charged. All deny any wrongdoing.