Police chiefs failing to protect vulnerable women from cops seeking sex, watchdog warns

POLICE chiefs are failing to protect vulnerable women from predatory cops looking for sex, a watchdog warns say.

Twelve forces have been blasted for failing to bolster their counter-corruption units to prevent officers forming relationships with victims, witnesses and suspects.

Getty - Contributor

A watchdog has warned that police chiefs are failing to protect vulnerable women from cops seeking sex[/caption]

Cops were told three years ago to implement new rules that would stop colleagues abusing their position for a sexual purpose.

It comes after a special police constable Wesley Cassidy who had sex with a witness in an ongoing probe quit last year after contacting the woman on social media after an initial meeting.

But a report published by the Inspectorate for Constabulary revealed only TWO forces had implanted plans in full, named as Greater Manchester and Leicestershire.

Forces were told to to build up an intelligence picture to catch culprits, ensure IT systems can be monitored or build up contact with victim groups to “identify perpetrators”.

Progress was made by most forces but areas including Essex, Durham and West Midlands were ordered to do more.

Harry Fletcher, of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Victims of Crime, said: “I have been told me that hundreds of male officers have been placed on restricted duties during the last few years.

“This involves no contact with female victims, witness’s or suspects following allegations of inappropriate behaviour or sexual misconduct.

“It is critical therefore that the recent conduct guidelines are rolled out without delay to all Police forces in England and Wales in order to protect vulnerable women.”

We all hope to look up to police officers as leaders in society and anything like this knocks people’s confidence

Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville Roberts

Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville Roberts said: “It’s deeply disturbing for any vulnerable person, man or woman.

“For us to have trust in the police as a service people have to be confident they can go to them without any risk whatsoever.

“We all hope to look up to police officers as leaders in society and anything like this knocks people’s confidence.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Misuse of police power and authority is never acceptable. The abuse of position for a sexual purpose has a devastating effect on victims and corrodes public confidence in the police.

“We are concerned by HMICFRS’s findings in this area and we strongly urge forces to take action to root out and prevent this kind of behaviour.

“We are implementing a wide-ranging programme of reforms to improve police integrity, including improving the transparency of the disciplinary system and strengthening the powers of the Independent Office for Police Conduct.”

LSRPlaid/Twitter

Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville Roberts has said she is deeply disturbed by the allegations[/caption]

---