Federation: Why are criminals treated better than serving police officers?

18 September 2023

Police officers are too often being considered guilty until proven otherwise when they find themselves under investigation, the City of London Police Federation has said.

Mike Reed, Federation Chair, has joined a number of voices speaking out about a lack of fairness in the police oversight and legal systems.

He said: “Those that have been, or are involved in the police disciplinary process, know that the CPS are more likely to charge and process police officers under investigation than members of the public.”

Mike said that officers are falling foul of a culture that fosters “witch hunts”.

Mike said: “What amazes me is the micro-examination in slow time from the comfort of office desks of those that are on the street making split second decisions in stressful situations. Remember that those officers often find their own physical wellbeing at risk as they place the safety and service of others at the forefront of those decisions.

“The underpinning of our current conduct Regulations is meant to be one of learning… but that does not seem to be the case… I hold little faith in the current checks and balances that should assess and stop 'complaints' reaching other decision makers in the chain such as the CPS.

“Once a file has been passed to the CPS it's a sad reflection that often the Police Federation and our solicitors advise officers to prepare for the worst and a visit to the court. For a case to get to court the test should always be the same as it would be for any member of the public… a fair assessment of the evidence that would secure a likely conviction and in the public interest. That is clearly not the case.

Police officers are being left suspended from work awaiting court dates for jobs that have no or little evidential merit as a result, he warned.

Mike added: “If people want confidence in policing they need to allow officers to do their job with their best interests at heart, without fear or favour of succumbing to a system that ties their hands behind their backs.”

Mike was speaking after Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley told the Superintendents’ Association Conference last week that such factors could discourage officers from pursuing criminals.

The Met Commissioner added that overzealous oversight of police officers was making them anxious about doing the job.