Almost half of police officers in England and Wales are dissatisfied with how their forces handle complaints against fellow officers, according to a new survey by the Police Federation (PFEW). The findings reveal a widespread culture of silence, with many officers believing they will not be supported if they report misconduct by colleagues.
The survey, based on 5,203 responses, found that 48% of officers were unhappy with the handling of police-on-police complaints. Over two-fifths (42%) said members who report misconduct or act as witnesses receive poor support, and four-fifths linked this lack of support to a reduced willingness to come forward. Female officers were more likely (53%) to report bad behaviour than men (43%).
The Metropolitan Police in London performed particularly poorly, with only 10% of its officers believing complaints against colleagues are handled well, compared to 22% in forces in eastern England, the south-east and Wales. The Met has been at the centre of major scandals, including the murder of Sarah Everard by former officer Wayne Couzens and the serial sexual offences of David Carrick.
Mukund Krishna, chief executive of the PFEW, said: “The predatory behaviour of Couzens and others like him doesn’t just slip through the cracks – it survives in the gaps created by weak supervision, flawed vetting and a culture in which silence feels safer than speaking up.” He added that policing’s greatest challenge is “a corrosive mindset shaped by relentless demand, inadequate leadership and structural weaknesses”.
The survey also found that 21% of officers have been involved in a misconduct case where the perpetrator was another officer, with female officers almost three times more likely to be victims. The PFEW will launch a victim and witness support programme in January, offering confidential advice and welfare support. Krishna said: “A service that cannot protect its own people cannot expect to earn the trust of the public.”
