Crime tsar orders probe 
into ‘police 
loss of trust’

Police and crime commissioner (PCC) Mark Burns-Williamson has appointed London’s former top police adviser, Catherine Crawford, to carry out the “root and branch” review.

The move comes after question marks were raised against the integrity of the force’s policies and procedures, most recently involving what some critics claimed was a less than comprehensive inquiry into officers’ dealings with serial sex abuser Jimmy Savile.

Earlier this year, the Yorkshire Post revealed details of shocking misconduct surrounding the force’s handling of supergrass Karl Chapman which led to murder and robbery convictions being quashed but not a single officer disciplined.

A number of officers have also been convicted of criminal offences, including most notably detective constable Nicholas McFadden who was jailed for 23 years in April after stealing more than £1m worth of heroin, cocaine and cannabis from evidence stores.

Ms Crawford’s inquiry is likely to involve input from individuals outside the force with specific concerns to raise but it will not re-investigate previous misconduct.

Instead it will focus on how the force dealt with allegations with the aim of improving future policy. It is understood the Savile inquiry and the supergrass scandal will form part of the remit.

Mr Burns-Williamson believes the inquiry will have implications for the way forces nationally deal with misconduct.

He said: “With the support of the chief constable and the chief executive of the PCC, I have agreed a root-and-branch review of the complaints procedure and this will be led by Catherine with her considerable experience and expertise in this area of work.”

Ms Crawford said: “The public must have trust and confidence in the standards set for policing and the processes for investigation if these appear to have been breached. Officers and staff must also have confidence that they will be dealt with fairly if they are the subject of complaints or allegations. The communities of West Yorkshire need to trust the systems in place and know that the police are serving them with integrity.”

Ms Crawford was chief executive of the Metropolitan Police Authority from 2000, leaving in 2012 after police restructuring.

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