Sean Bryant, Canterbury: I agree with this story. I am a former Police Officer with Kent Police, who was forced to resign following misconduct proceedings for harassment against my wife during a very acrimonious divorce. I made a substantial complaint against the Force, as in the first instance they failed and refused to investigate my own complaints and allegations against my wife, whilst I was a serving officer. In addition, I later discovered evidence, which gave rise to officers in Professional Standards conspiring to pervert the course of justice, fabricating evidence and colluding with witnesses. This in addition to their failure to investigate fairly or proportionately, for what amounted to an offensive email, an alteration to a website and an additional email. Despite the clear evidence that warranted an investigation after laying numerous allegations and questions to the Chief Constable during a review, he not only failed in his duty to act upon my complaints, but then directed them to the very department/officers to whom I was complaining against. This was a clear breach of trust, as the information I gave him was a "protected disclosure". Since then, I have lost 2 jobs, because of information given "outside" of references, portraying me as a bad police officer, who is violent and dishonest. I have also had a further harassment warning issued to me, with the same officer I'd complained about, being at the centre of it's issue. The complaints I made to the IPCC, were lengthy and conscise. Kent Police Professional Standards, were able to dismiss most of my complaints, by virtue of Section 29(4) of the Police Reform Act, which states that a former police officer cannot complain about another officer or its force!!!!! Yes, you understood that correctly.....if they were breaking the law and I complained, they don't have to answer for their actions and the IPCC can do nothing about this! In the complaint that was allowed to be brought, Kent Police twice failed to acknowledge that I either had a complaint or that it lacked substance. After twice having my appeal upheld in my favour, Kent Police were critisised for failing to deal with my complaint efficiently or properly and in addition had deliberately with held details from me to enable me to lodge an appeal. A further abuse of their power and authority!!!! The IPCC deemed that the Inspector involved in disclosing the information to my employer which resulted in my dismissal, should receive words of advice and have this recorded on their record. To date, 2 1/2 months on, Kent Police have failed to write to me acknowledging the actions taken/recommendations of the IPCC, or to even offer an apology for the actions which resulted in my dismissal from another job.
I firmly believe that several things need to take place. Firstly, the Police Reform Act needs to be changed, so that anyone, including former officers can complain. If our complaints/rights to complain are suppressed whilst still employed as officers, then the IPCC route is all we have left.
Secondly, the IPCC should have more power to demand that Police Forces stick to rigid timeframes/procedures that allow for the flow of information to travel both ways and for a timely conclusion. Failure on the part of the Police, would result in them being named and shamed and incurring a heavy penalty of say £10,000 for each occasion or for them to lose their right to contest the complaint made by the complainant.
Thirdly, total transparency. At the moment, the police only look into the complaint with the complainant showing their deck of cards first. This gives them the opportunity to hide evidence of their own and get their house in order before having to respond. The complainant is not given this opportunity, as the Police do not share the information or evidence that have gathered to compile their report to the IPCC....this is wrong!
Finally, where any member of Professional Standards is accused of misconduct/criminal acts, the investigation must be carried out by another force or independent investigation unit, with the same powers of investigation as the police, but completely independent of the police.
The Police Reform Act must be scrapped or urgently revised!!!
If anyone can help me get some justice for what has taken place, including 2 breaches of my Human rights-Article 8 and Article 10, then please get in touch. I am now a bankrupt, because of my divorce and the actions taken by Kent Police. |