By Michael Gillard and Laurie Flynn
We understand the authors worked closely with a number of individuals
who have been subject to investigation by the MPS and we read this book with
interest. Whilst much of the contents appear to be factually based there are a
number of inaccuracies and we disagree with many of the conclusions that the
authors have reached.
Investigating the corrupt activities of police officers is by its nature a
difficult and demanding process. Police officers who undertake this unenviable
task can have their own backgrounds subjected to scrutiny, actions they have
taken misinterpreted and distorted conclusions drawn.
Whilst this can be damaging to the individuals concerned as an organisation
the MPS accepts it is a price we pay for continuing efforts to rid the service
of corrupt officers.
The importance of identifying and dealing with corruption
within the police service cannot be over-estimated and it should be noted that
since January 2000 the Anti Corruption Command has secured the conviction of
27 serving officers for offences such as conspiracy to steal, conspiracy to
pervert the course of justice, conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to supply
drugs. All these officers would otherwise have remained in the Service committing
serious crimes whilst abusing their positions of trust and being paid by the people of London.
During the same period 59 other people (former officers, police staff and others)
have been convicted of offences related to police corruption, including corrupting police officers.
Despite the appeal of conspiracy theories that surround this
important area of work - including those based on misinterpretation and distorted
conclusions - it is a strength of policing in the UK that there are robust
procedures for dealing with complaints both by members of the public and by
officers who believe they have been treated unfairly. It is against this background
that the Metropolitan Police will continue to root out criminals who operate within
the service - and those who seek to corrupt them - and when there is evidence,
prosecute them through the courts.
