I won’t quit says head of worst police force in UK
A POLICE and crime commissioner who led his force ‘ to national humiliation’ has refused to resign despite a damning report from inspectors.
Barry Coppinger defended his record with Cleveland Police and intends to stand for a third term next year.
Mr Coppinger has been branded ‘a joke’ by opponents for presiding over the failures. But he refused to accept blame for the ‘inadequate’ rating Cleveland received in last week’s report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabularies, Fire and Rescue Services.
Instead the Labour politician said the force’s shortcomings were the responsibility of the chief constable even though the force has had six in nearly as many years – current chief Richard Lewis was only appointed in April. The force has been dogged by mismanagement and corruption scandals over two decades.
Mr Coppinger, who was appointed in 2012, earns £70,000 a year. Cleveland Police was effectively placed in ‘special measures’ by the inspectorate in August. Last week’s report said it was ‘putting the public at risk’ after failing in every key area, including preventing crime, catching criminals, responding swiftly to incidents and protecting the vulnerable.
Simon Clarke, Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: ‘I have been very impressed by our new chief constable. However, this is surely an embarrassment too far for Barry Coppinger. For the good of Cleveland Police, [which] he has led to national humiliation, he should resign.’ Andy Preston, Middlesbrough’s independent mayor, added: ‘Barry is doing an awful job. I’m calling on Teesside’s politicians to back me and call for Barry’s immediate resignation.’
The Home Secretary could be called in to take over the running of the force if plans to turn it around are not approved by a national board.
Inspectors said there was a ‘significant deterioration’ in the way Cleveland Police prevented offences. Phil Gormley, who led the inspection, said it was the worst report the organisation had ever published. He said: ‘The force doesn’t appropriately prioritise crime prevention. There is a lack of strategic direction and [ it] doesn’t allocate enough resources to prevention.
‘Staff who carry out prevention work lack an understanding of the priorities.’
The report added there was a lack of leadership, described by staff as ‘directionless, rudderless and clueless’. Mr Coppinger, who was elected in 2012 and 2016 with 15 per cent and 20 per cent turnout respectively, has blamed poor performance on police leadership and funding cuts.
‘I have no intention of resigning – there will be an election next May and the public can make their decision,’ Mr Coppinger said. ‘We have seen cuts in not only policing but social care and criminal justice services, though I do not use any of this as an excuse.’