Police and unsubstantiated complaints

[N2O]

I have a mate who is a copper. He has recently been the subject of a sexual assault complaint and has been suspended, arrested and bailed till a date in December while further investigations are carried out. He doesn't know of any evidence against him (although I don't know if he would be informed).

I don't believe he is guilty. However that's not for me to decide and probably not to be discussed here, anonymity or otherwise.

He's been speaking to the police federation who have been reasonably supportive (legal help etc) However what they have basically told him, is that no matter what the result of the complaint, his career as a police officer will probably be over. He is still in his probation period and thinks this may come up in any future promotion interviews; plus of course the 'smoke without fire' aspect.

I'm extremely surprised by this, since I do believe nothing will come of this (out of character, no evidence, no witnesses) but he is pretty convinced. As a result he's extremely depressed and I'm very concerned as to his welfare.

Any thoughts one way or another, appreciated.


>>> Edited by N2O on Saturday 23 October 02:14

[autismuk]

N2O said:

I have a mate who is a copper. He has recently been the subject of a sexual assault complaint and has been suspended, arrested and bailed till a date in December while further investigations are carried out. He doesn't know of any evidence against him (although I don't know if he would be informed). I don't believe he is guilty. However that's not for me to decide and probably not to be discussed here, anonymity or otherwise. He's been speaking to the police federation who have been reasonably supportive (legal help etc) However what they have basically told him, is that no matter what the result of the complaint, his career as a police officer will probably be over. He is still in his probation period and thinks this may come up in any future promotion interviews; plus of course the 'smoke without fire' aspect. I'm extremely surprised by this, since I do believe nothing will come of this (out of character, no evidence, no witnesses) but he is pretty convinced. As a result he's extremely depressed and I'm very concerned as to his welfare. Any thoughts one way or another, appreciated. >>> Edited by N2O on Saturday 23 October 02:14

I work in Residential Care and it is just like this.

Except the Police will believe any old crap they are told (to boost the crime detection rates) - irrespective of how unbelievable it is.

They do not investigate either. To be precise, they do not make boring simple checks (is it physically possible ? was he there at the time ?) on prosecution evidence. Defence evidence is hammered.

If it had been one of us, the Police would have investigated the rest of the station as well, collected complaints (while telling the complainants what to say and telling them about compensation) and prosecuted on a "where there's smoke there's fire" basis.

[Boosted Ls1]

They do a very thorough investigation imho. I once made a complaint against about a dozen officers via the pca. My complaint was upheld. I also got copies of all the interviews and can tell you that the officers involved got a grilling. Your mates situation will be investigated properly. The police don't like rotton eggs and weed them out as early as possible. I hope for your mate that everything is discovered and he's treated fairly.

[Streetcop]

Boosted Ls1...

What was the complaint? What happened?
What punishment did the BiB get..?

Street

[N2O]

Boosted Ls1 said:

I hope for your mate that everything is discovered and he's treated fairly.

Yeah so do I. Certainly seems to be a completely unfounded allegation against him; and yet of course, he's the one suspended for two months, with the best possible prospect for him seeming to be that when it all blows over, he's lost his career and wasted 2 years of his life.

I can't believe the police federation's stance is what it is to be honest .. does anyone know of any similar cases which ended in a favourable manner so I can point him toward it, if nothing else, to stop him doing anything stupid..

[Boosted Ls1]

Streetcop said:

Boosted Ls1... What was the complaint? What happened? What punishment did the BiB get..? Street

Some 10 years ago I saw things getting out of hand in a pub, just loudness, no violence. I knew some of the people involved and was trying to calm things down. Later on a pc was being very threatening with me and I was arrested. I thought things would be ok at the police station and they would listen to my explanation, then let me go. I have liased with the police a lot over the last 20 years Did they heck, wanted to lock me up all night pending further investigations. I started to make a fuss about this and spent many hours restrained in cable ties, why, I was in a cell! All the officers in the station heard me after a dr but ignored me. I said I would make a complaint. I did, and found the custody record was inaccurate and incomplete etc. At the end of the day some of them were advised and I think one of them was disiplined. When I took it to court the complainant (pub landlord) stood up for me yet the police officers were lying against me. The note books had all been copied word for word. They had basically decided to justify the arrest after I'd indicated I would complain.

The complaint was unlawful arrest and detention, assault, malicious prosecution and something else which I can't remember now. They settled my claim 3 years later but cheated all the way. I easily proved the asault and unlawful arrest from the police evidence etc but malicious prosecution would have been a bit tricky. Only a couple of the officers said the truth when they were interviewed and they got my respect. They were also quite young. I'd still stick up for bib though

I've a relative on traffic (FLO as well) who had an accusation levelled against him (domestic matter). He's now finding out just how crooked some senior officers can be. He's happily accept an apology but they can't do that. It's an admission of liability as you know.

[Streetcop]

The thing is...nowadays..the police are so professional, it's to the point of being wrong...

To be a criminal is to be a 'customer' nowadays and unfortuately that is down to people complaining about the police in the past (sometimes justified)..but the knock on effects are that the decent public are now on their own, to protect themselves....

Street

[N2O]

Oi, get your own thread

Seriously tho, any examples of this anyone knows, just whether the officer was able to return to work or not after being cleared, I'll be seeing him later so would like to cheer him up a bit..

[autismuk]

N2O said:

Oi, get your own thread Seriously tho, any examples of this anyone knows, just whether the officer was able to return to work or not after being cleared, I'll be seeing him later so would like to cheer him up a bit..

'Fraid not.

The CRB check will now have "accused of sexual abuse" on it. If he is lucky they may write "NFA" on it as well.

Problem is, he'll need that check done .... and will people "take the chance".

[Boosted Ls1]

autismuk said:

N2O said: Oi, get your own thread Seriously tho, any examples of this anyone knows, just whether the officer was able to return to work or not after being cleared, I'll be seeing him later so would like to cheer him up a bit.. 'Fraid not. The CRB check will now have "accused of sexual abuse" on it. If he is lucky they may write "NFA" on it as well. Problem is, he'll need that check done .... and will people "take the chance".

That seems pretty unfair on him. NFA, no further action? What's a CRB check? If he had 3 checks against him over a short period of time then I would see cause for concern but any old slapper can make a malicious complaint.

Street,

I know what you mean about the 'customers'. I hated to see defence lawyers sidling up to their best customers, rapists, thugs and muggers and definately the sort that shouldn't be mixing with the rest of us. One practice up here got into a bit of trouble for offering their clients Nike trainers as an inducement. Seeing these gits sitting on nice plump chesterfields isn't quite right. I won't do defence work any more

[towman]

Streetcop said:

The thing is...nowadays..the police are so professional, it's to the point of being wrong... To be a criminal is to be a 'customer' nowadays and unfortuately that is down to people complaining about the police in the past (sometimes justified)..but the knock on effects are that the decent public are now on their own, to protect themselves.... Street

Gary, I`m not picking holes in your posts tonight, but this one just jumps out:-

Surely if someone does not have "previous", they cannot be classified as a criminal? Innocent until...etc etc Perhaps this is why there is so much disrespect out there.

Steve

[N2O]

Mud sticks, as Streetcop posted before. That's the problem I guess. False allegation or not, it looks bad having it on the record - and with two canditates for a job, one having it on record, the other not, who'll get the job?

Innocent until proven guilty my arse

[Streetcop]

towman said:

Streetcop said: The thing is...nowadays..the police are so professional, it's to the point of being wrong... To be a criminal is to be a 'customer' nowadays and unfortuately that is down to people complaining about the police in the past (sometimes justified)..but the knock on effects are that the decent public are now on their own, to protect themselves.... Street Gary, I`m not picking holes in your posts tonight, but this one just jumps out:- Surely if someone does not have "previous", they cannot be classified as a criminal? Innocent until...etc etc Perhaps this is why there is so much disrespect out there. Steve

I agree..

I was thinking more of criminals who the police must treat as customers....ie: there is no real fear of being caught nowadays...the courts don't hammer them and the police dont allow criminals to fall down stone steps in the police station car park...

Street