The following story was sent to me by a reader after my editorial yesterday (published January12 2014) under the headline “Internal Police Investigations”.

My editorial was on the announcement that Cayman Islands Commissioner of Police, David Baines, is to be the subject of an internal investigation.

I was making the point that Police Investigating Police (PIP) investigations were viewed with suspicion and whatever the findings the general public as a whole view them with suspicion.

I gave credence to my claim by quoting from a report on PIP investigations executed by Dr. Christopher Murphy and Mr. Paul F. McKenna that analysed complaints against the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Please go to: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/the-editor-speaks-internal-police-investigations/ to read the whole Editorial.

The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service officer who is in charge of investigating the conduct of Commissioner Baines in his role in the apprehension of three men accused of holding up the George Town jewellery store, Diamonds Unlimited, who were trying to make their escape on the morning of New Year’s Day, is Chief Inspector Harlan Powery.

In fairness to Baines I was putting forward the recommendations in the Murphy/McKenna report that someone from outside the RCIPS – a suitably qualified, civilian, should lead the investigation. I suggested the Cayman Islands current Complaints Commissioner, Nicola Williams.

Ms. Williams has a number of qualifications that makes her a perfect candidate for the job namely: 17.8.09 Appointed as Complaints Commissioner for the Cayman Islands; 1.4.2004 – 31.3.2009: Commissioner, Independent Police Complaints Commission, London; 1.9.01 – 31.3.04:Board Member, Police Complaints Authority, London.

It was in her role as Commissioner, Independent Police Complaints Commission London in 2005 that she ruled for disciplinary action against twelve police officers after the airing of a BBC documentary revealing racism at a police training college in Cheshire, England.

Police rapped after BBC programme

From BBC March 4 2005

“It is vital that the police service can…ensure that each and every police officer supports the need to treat everybody fairly, regardless of their race, religion or colour “ – Nicola Williams IPCC commissioner

Twelve police officers are to be disciplined as a result of a BBC documentary which revealed racism at a police training college in Cheshire.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPPC) said none would be sacked, but four officers who train recruits would get written warnings.

Seven constables and a sergeant would receive formal advice from a senior officer, it added.

Ten other officers resigned after the 2003 screening of The Secret Policeman.

The IPPC called for a review of recruitment and the development of methods to identify personality traits which are unacceptable in police officers.

Quicker disciplinary procedures should be set up in cases of gross misconduct so officers could be instantly dismissed when there was “compelling evidence” against them, it said.

Methods should be developed to identify personality traits that were “unacceptable” in police officers.

The IPCC also recommended that the feasibility of having an independent person on every recruiting panel for trainers should also be examined.

It called on Centrex, the Central Police Training and Development Authority, to carry out a national review of race and diversity training.

A review of the recommendations will be held in September.

IPCC commissioner Nicola Williams said: “It is vital that the police service can permanently improve recruit training and ensure that each and every police officer supports the need to treat everybody fairly, regardless of their race, religion or colour.”

Centrex, welcoming the recommendations, said it had been working with the Home Office, the Association of Chief Police Officers, and the Association of Police Authorities on the police race and diversity learning and development programme since November 2004.

IPCC INQUIRY

180 hours of video and audio tape

100 statements

1,200 documents

The programme is aimed at improving police performance in race and diversity.

Eleven of the 12 officers to be disciplined are from Greater Manchester Police, where reporter Mark Daly was a trainee officer and secretly filmed recruits at the Bruche National Training Centre in Warrington, Cheshire.

The twelfth officer, one of the four trainers from Bruche, is from Lancashire Constabulary.

Greater Manchester Police Deputy Chief Constable Alan Green said “decisive action” was taken against several recruits, following the screening of the documentary, which led to their resignations.

‘Equality promoted’

Other officers were disciplined after an investigation supervised by the IPCC also highlighted procedural issues such as the need for improving recruitment and selection methods.

“These issues have been encompassed and addressed in our far-reaching Operation Respect Programme, which seeks to promote fairness and equality throughout GMP and with the communities we police,” Deputy Chief Constable Green said.

“We will continue to work in an open way to rebuild greater confidence in the way we police.”

The documentary prompted the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) to carry out an investigation into the recruitment, training and monitoring of police officers’ conduct and the management of their behaviour.

Its findings are due to be published next week.

The original article can be found at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4317429.stm