Police pledge to whistleblowers

Whistleblowers are being urged to come forward under a new strategy to prevent fraud and corruption in the North Yorkshire Police force.

There are already a large number of local and national policies in place to prevent wrong-doing within the county’s police service and encourage employees with concerns about colleagues to report them.

However, the new anti-fraud and anti-corruption strategy – which is set for approval on Friday – is designed to provide a systematic framework to deal the slightest whiff of corruption in a firm and measured way.

Central to the approach will be encouraging employees who find anything wrong to approach their own bosses first before “blowing the whistle” in the media.

Although the new policy makes clear that complaints would carry more conviction with a name attached to them the force is prepared to investigate anonymous allegations.

Those seeking to raise concerns will also be given every means of doing so – including an anonymous electronic mailing system and a confidential hotline for employees.

Report author director of police professional standards Steve Read said: “Employees are often the first to realise that there may be something seriously wrong within the authority/force.

“However, they may not express their concerns because they feel that speaking up would be disloyal to their colleagues or to the force.

“They may also fear harassment or victimisation. In these circumstances, it may seem easier to ignore the concern rather than report what may just be a suspicion of malpractice.”

It was still the case that for some minor issues staff should normally raise concerns with their immediate manager or their superior. However, the confidential reporting procedure is expected to be used for more serious and sensitive issues, such as corruption, and fraud.

The first step would be to report the matter on the force confidential reporting hotline on 0800 012 1227.

Mr Read continued: “The (police) authority is committed to the highest possible standards of openness, probity and accountability.

“In line with that commitment the authority expects members, employees, police officers, police staff and others with serious concerns about any aspect of the authority’s work to come forward and voice those concerns.

“It is recognised that certain cases will have to proceed on a confidential basis. This strategy document makes it clear that staff or officers can do so without fear of reprisals.”

There are existing procedures in place to enable employees to lodge a grievance relating to their own employment. But the confidential reporting procedure is intended to cover concerns that fall outside the scope of other procedures.

The reports stresses if employees make an allegation in good faith, but it is not confirmed by the investigation, no action will be taken against them. But malicious allegations could result in disciplinary action.

But the new policy also makes clear that prevention is better than cure and also lays down some formal guidelines to weed out suspected bad apples at the earliest opportunity.

One of telltale signs of officers who may have something to hide are those who regularly fail to take all the annual leave they are entitled to.

There are also guidelines on how to spot things in record-keeping which could point towards fraud or corruption.

Those include unusual accounting entries, frequent delays in banking, and altered or missing documents.

North Yorkshire Police Authority will vote on the policy on Friday.

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