Police accountability

This blog has often highlighted the lack of accountability of police and in particular the failure to hold individuals accountable for violent assaults carried out by those in uniform. It is pleasing to see that there are occasional exceptions.

Last month Pc Jason Hanvey, 37, and Sgt Andrew Kennedy, 51, were convicted of misconduct in a public office after a trial at Manchester Crown Court and were each sentenced to 18 months in jail. The case followed an IPCC investigation into the abuse of a young woman suspect. What is interesting to note is that Harvey had been convicted of assault 12 years ago following a similar attack but was allowed to remain a police officer.

Interesting to note that Greater Manchester Police (GMP) issued a statement in which they assert:

The conduct of Hanvey and Kennedy that day fell well below the standard expected of professional police officers ... However, I want to stress their actions in no way reflect the committed and professional attitude shown by the vast majority of our custody staff.

The culture of GMP uncovered by the Secret Policeman episode of Panorama however showed how racist and unprofessional Greater Manchester Police Officers can be. Well worth watching