Police give assurance on ethical standards Superintendent asked about public trust following national high profile incidents involving officers
Police in the Stirling area have assured of their own moral compass - and that of their area commander - after a number of shocking incidents involving police officers UK-wide.
Among recent high profile cases have been the abduction and murder of Sarah Everard by then serving Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens in London that also saw five Met officers later face misconduct proceedings over messages sent about the killer.
Two Metropolitan Police officers were also warned this week that they face lengthy prison terms after pleading guilty to taking and sharing photographs of two dead sisters who were brutally murdered in a London park.
At a meeting of Stirling Council’s public safety committee last Thursday, local officers were asked what impact that had had on Stirling’s police.
Tory councillor Jeremy McDonald said: “This is a sensitive question because police have come under a lot of scrutiny in recent months. Just recently for example a Scottish officer was convicted of grooming.
“I realise that it’s a very small percentage of the police where these things happen and a great shame because it damages the general reputation, but this is an opportunity to tell the public what you are doing to rebuild the confidence and trust in the police.”
Superintendent Mark Lundie gave assurances how seriously ethical standards are taken locally, with particular praise for the leadership of Stirling area commander Gill Marshall.
“Events over the last few months and sometimes years throughout the UK that police officers have been involved in is sad,” said Supt Lundie.
“We genuinely feel it up here in Police Scotland even if it involved the Met or wherever.
“We are human beings as well and we abhor criminality in general - but when a police officer is involved we really take that to heart and talk about it at a local level.
“In Stirling and Forth Valley we do our best to communicate that we take every incident of criminality incredibly seriously.
“I’m pleased to say that in performance in Forth Valley and our professional standards, these have never been higher and we really try to enforce those ethics. It’s not just about reporting Police Scotland values but about implementing those on a daily basis. We have zero tolerance of anything of a criminal nature but we are focused on making sure we have a respectful culture in our own team.
“Gill’s ethics and values are unquestionable. She really pushes that out to her own staff on a daily basis.
“It’s extremely hard when outside elements cause reputational damage to our own local police officers and we have to try hard to enforce our own values, to communicate that through public forums and in dealing with members of the public on a day to day basis.
“Having a comment in the newspaper for example, either from myself or the commander, is good. It gives an oversight but it’s a detailed indication to ensure the public we are there to support them.”
Council leader Scott Farmer thanked Supt Lundie for the assurance.