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Lincolnshire Police ordered to improve professional standards, counter-corruption and handling complaints in report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services




The county’s police must do more to improve its professional standards and counter-corruption arrangements — according to an inspector’s report.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has assessed the effectiveness of Lincolnshire Police in three areas.

It graded the force ‘adequate’ when it comes to the vetting of police officers and staff but said it ‘requires improvement’ in both tackling counter-corruption and upholding professional standards.

Lincolnshire Police. Stock image
Lincolnshire Police. Stock image

It found that investigators ‘rarely’ record what they have learned from cases and that the force does not always handle complaints in line with the statutory guidance. It ruled that it needs to improve the level of service it provides to complainants.

His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Roy Wilsher said: “Public interest in police behaviour is high. There is an increased focus from the Government and police on improving vetting, challenging misconduct and tackling corruption.

“This in turn, increases the demand on those working in force vetting units, professional standards departments and counter-corruption units. Their work is essential to make sure the right people join the police service, and all officers and staff continue to work with integrity.

“Lincolnshire Police manages its vetting workload well, effectively managing and predicting demand. While it has effective governance in its professional standards department and the standard of its corruption investigations are good, improvements are needed here.

“For example, the force’s counter-corruption control strategy is missing some significant control measures we would have expected to see.

“It also needs to improve how it responds to complaints and conduct allegations and assess some of its vetting arrangements.

“We will continue to monitor the force’s progress.”

Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Paul Gibson. Image: LDRS
Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Paul Gibson. Image: LDRS

The county’s force highlighted the positives when it comes to vetting and explained what it will look to do to address the area’s for improvement.

Lincolnshire Police’s Chief Constable Paul Gibson said: “We accept the findings of this report and that there are some areas where we need to improve, but we’re confident that the action plans we have implemented will work at pace towards achieving these.

“The inspection found that that our vetting is good, we are dealing with the small amount of corrupt officers and staff, our investigation into complaints is thorough and proportionate, and we have good investigation standards and good supervision when it comes to counter-corruption. These are the areas that matter most to the public because if were falling in these areas of work this is where they would most feel the impact.

Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Paul Gibson. | Image: Daniel Jaines
Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Paul Gibson. | Image: Daniel Jaines

“We will of course look at the areas where we need to improve and make sure we act on recommendations, but I’m pleased to see that the inspection team found some areas of good practice where we have effective processes and practices in place, are complying with Authorised Professional Practice, and are providing a good service to the public we serve.

“We continue to invest in vetting, challenge misconduct, and tackle corruption so that we can continue to deliver the highest possible standard of policing to communities in Lincolnshire.”

A new process has been put in place to address the issues raised with learning from cases.



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