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UK investigators release report on misconduct and misogyny in police service – JURIST

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) Wednesday released a full report on misconduct and misogyny in the UK police service. HMICFRS aimed to assess current vetting and counter-corruption capacity and capability in policing across England and Wales. The report also included details on the forces’ ability to detect and deal with misogynistic and predatory behavior. The report concluded that far too many women experienced unwanted sexual behavior at some point in their career in the force.The HMICFRS marked five areas for improvement and made 43 recommendations. Suggestions included making improvements in the pre-hiring vetting process, extending the scope of law relating to misconduct procedures and improving investigation methods.The HMICFRS conducted a survey and received over 11,000 responses from officers and staff. HMICFRS examined both complaints and pre-hire vetting files. Out of the 725 vetting files they examined there were 131 cases where the decision was questionable at best.HMICFRS found officers and staff with criminal records, family members linked to organized crime and more. They also found officers who, despite a history of misconduct, successfully transferred between police forces. The HMICFRS said that this was ‘wholly unsatisfactory’. They were also unimpressed with decisions made in about 20 percent of the 264 complaint investigations they explored.His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Matt Parr said, “The police must do more to prevent unsuitable people from joining in the first place, identify any misconduct within the force, and quickly dismiss officers and staff if they are not fit to serve the public.”HMICFRS independently investigates and reports on the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces in the public interest.