Cleveland Police is failing to keep people safe and reduce crime according to a report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services. Cleveland Police has been “operating without a clear plan or direction” and is the first force in England or Wales to be rated inadequate across all areas.
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The watchdog said that things had got worse since the last inspection and criticisms were given such as:
- Crime prevention isn’t a priority
- Doesn’t do enough to catch criminals
- Failing to protect vulnerable people
- Doesn’t treat public fairly enough
- Doesn’t treat communities with respect
- High levels of complaints
- Discriminatory behaviour
- Harassment
- Intolerance
Former chief constable of Cleveland Police, Sean Price, was sacked for gross misconduct in 2012 and seven officer had been under investigation after journalists’ phones were unlawfully monitored, and claims of racism within the ranks.
Inspectors says the force received “significantly” more complaints from the public than other forces,.
Cleveland Police’s chief constable Richard Lewis said: “This report echoes my initial assessment of the organisation and it will act as a line in the sand for Cleveland Police.
Improvements have already been made and I take full responsibility for driving through the changes that are so obviously needed.
In the five months I’ve been here I have met some exceptional police officers and staff, at all levels, and have seen lives saved and vulnerable people protected by the efforts and determination of front line officers.
However, I know this is never the full picture of an organisation and through my own observations, speaking to people in our communities and local leaders and with the insight given by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, I am well aware that we are not at the level we need to be….
We have been focused on reactive policing to the detriment of prevention. This focus is changing and our prevention activities will be driven through our Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPT) which we are re-establishing.”
Inspectors say that the chief constable recognises the issues they have found and is creating a team to put it right.
