Inspectors criticise Lincolnshire Police cells

Inspectors have deemed the way police cells in Lincolnshire are run as "disappointing" and "continually failing" in their latest report.

Her Majesty's Inspector of the Constabulary and the Chief Inspector of Prisons saw cells in Lincoln, Boston, Skegness, Grantham and Spalding.

The joint report found "too often", those with mental health problems were detained and not sent for NHS care.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said changes were in progress.

Chief Inspector of Prisons, Nick Hardwick, said: "We were concerned that about 500 people a year are detained in Lincolnshire who have been sectioned under the Mental health Act and they are brought to Lincolnshire Police cells as a place of safety.

'Significant change'
 

"I think we recognise across the police service that police cells are not a proper place to detain people who are mentally ill and provision should be made for them by the NHS.

"Overall, this is a disappointing inspection. It came at a time when the force was undergoing significant change, which perhaps helped explain why we identified continued failings..."

Assistant Chief Constable Keith Smy said; "While I share [the inspectors'] disappointment about issues we have been aware of for some time and have been progressing as a police service and with other organisations, we cannot dictate the pace at which other people make changes and have to provide a plan B."

Other areas of concern in the report included the "variable" quality of risk assessments and the inconsistent health and safety monitoring.

Mr Hardwick also found areas to praise in his report including the professional conduct of staff in interactions with detainees and good substance misuse services.

27 May 2011

PCSO handed Community Order for defrauding

A former police community support officer (PCSO) with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has been given a Community Order after he defrauded a member of the local community out of almost £13,000.
Anthony Maitland was a Westminster PCSO working in the Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street area. He was handed a 12 month Community Order at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

In October 2009 police received intelligence that he had obtained £12,700 in cash from a member of the local community, claiming it was a loan, but never paid the money back.

Between August 2006 and early 2007, the 43-year-old told the woman he was in debt and did not have enough money for a house deposit, she gave him money on several occasions to assist with the house deposit which he took and never attempted to repay.

The offences occurred both on duty, in uniform and off duty in his old borough, Newham. He was arrested on October 27 2009 and later charged with evading liability by deception and fraud and was suspended from duty pending the outcome of the investigation.

Maitland pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court on March 22 2011 to one count of fraud totalling £12,770; he also tendered his resignation which was effective from March 31. In addition to the Community Order, he was ordered by the judge to compensate the victim with £1483.90 and complete 240 hours of community service.

Sergeant John Brandrick, Westminster Professional Standards Unit, said: “Anthony Maitland abused his position within the police service to defraud a member of his local community.

“This is a complete abuse of power and one which we did not tolerate. Maitland’s actions were entirely selfish and completely undermine the hard work that is carried out by officers across Westminster,
Newham and the rest of London on a daily basis to build trust and keep communities safe.

“All officers, PCSOs and staff must maintain the highest levels of conduct and standards and we will deal robustly with any instances where we believe this not to be the case.” 

21 Apr 2011