Police Commissioner Ann Barnes welcomes anti-corruption inquiry for Kent Police
Five officers from Kent
Police were arrested last month
Kent's new Police Commissioner has welcomed an investigation
into how crime figures in the county are recorded.
Ann Barnes is working with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of
Constabulary after five officers were arrested in Maidstone on
suspicion of corruption.
The detectives, believed to be four men and a woman, are being
investigated for persuading criminals to confess to offences they
did not commit in order to boost crime detection figures.
A statement confirmed Mrs Barnes is to work
with HMIC as it conducts a "wide ranging and in-depth examination
into how Kent Police decides on a range of crime recording
issues".
The investigation is already under way and will be completed by
the end of January, after which the findings will be presented at a
public meeting.
Mrs Barnes, pictured left, said: "In public service, trust
is paramount. The people of Kent need to be reassured that they can
have confidence in how Kent Police operates and how they report
crime and crime figures.
"The recent investigations and arrests of serving police
officers in Maidstone have caused concern.
"As the Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent I have a duty to
hold the force to account on behalf of local people.
"It is in the interests of the Chief Constable and everyone
involved in policing that an investigation is carried out to bottom
out this issue once and for all."
No one has yet been charged in connection with the arrests,
which happened on Monday November 12 - three days before the
commissioner's election.
The officers have been released on bail pending
investigation.
It is thought the allegations centre around the practice of
taking offences "into consideration", where other crimes are
admitted upon conviction.
06/12/12
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