The police have announced the launch of a new anti-corruption reporting service aimed at identifying and addressing misconduct within law enforcement agencies across the country.

The initiative, operated by the independent charity Crimestoppers, provides a confidential platform for the public to report instances of corruption or serious abuse involving police officers, staff, and volunteers.

Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Day of the Metropolitan Police Service’s Anti-Corruption and Abuse Command hailed the initiative as a pioneering step in enhancing police accountability. He highlighted the success of a similar effort launched by the Met 18 months ago, which garnered over 2,800 online reports and calls between November 2022 and February 2024.

According to Day, the expansion of the service nationwide underscores the commitment of law enforcement agencies to uphold integrity and weed out individuals unfit to serve in the police force.

The reporting service enables the public to disclose concerns about various forms of misconduct, including officers soliciting money or favours in exchange for information, abusing their position for personal gain, engaging in inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature, and demonstrating abusive behaviour based on race, sexual orientation, sex, or disability.

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, emphasized the importance of the reporting service in enabling swift action against corruption and criminality within policing. He stressed that the anonymous and confidential nature of the reporting platform encourages members of the public to come forward with valuable information.

Mark Hallas, Chief Executive of Crimestoppers, echoed Stephens’ sentiments, emphasizing the collective goal of ensuring the removal of dangerous and abusive individuals from law enforcement agencies. Hallas emphasized the public’s right to a transparent and trustworthy policing environment.

The launch of the new reporting service aligns with recent efforts to uphold high standards of integrity across all police forces. Information received by Crimestoppers will be promptly forwarded to the relevant force’s specialist unit for assessment, potentially leading to safeguarding measures, new investigations, or informing future inquiries.

Law enforcement authorities have assured the public that the reporting platform will complement existing complaint procedures and serve as a robust mechanism for addressing appalling behaviours within the police force.

Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Day reiterated the importance of establishing clear systems for addressing misconduct and ensuring that individuals within policing feel confident in reporting unacceptable behaviours. The initiative aims to foster transparency, accountability, and trust within law enforcement agencies, ultimately bolstering public confidence in the integrity of the police force.