The Crime Prevention Website

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’.”

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