Barry Coppinger’s letter of resignation
DEAR Richard,
I am writing to advise that after considerable reflection it is my intention to resign as Police and Crime Commissioner.
Pressure is part and parcel of the job of a PCC, particularly so in Cleveland.
I have felt under siege since the damning report into Cleveland Police 12 months ago, and have been working and making decisions while experiencing considerable, cumulative stress. It has reached the stage where this is now impacting upon my health.
Recent events will only add to this and therefore I do believe it is better that I step aside now and allow someone else to take charge until the re-scheduled election in May 2021.
I am proud of the fact that for the past five years my office has received an annual award for openness and transparency – one of the few in the country to achieve such a feat.
I have always been of the view that the business of the Force and the PCC should be conducted as openly as is realistically possible and I am always open to suggestions as to how we could do this better.
As you will know, Force mobile phones do not support WhatsApp messaging.
My office, as with many other organisations, has approved the use of WhatsApp groups on personal mobiles and these have been particularly beneficial during the ongoing Covid crisis, where we do not have day to day office contact.
These groups are for short-term transitory messaging like business continuity with a procedure for each group admin to prompt a weekly cleardown so that information isn’t held for longer than necessary and on personal non-work devices.
I do use WhatsApp on my personal mobile phone and I have cleared messages on a regular basis, not with any intention to conceal anything, but simply due to storage capacity limits.
Recent focus on this area has led me to consider whether that was the right approach and it is right and proper that the appropriate independent authorities now consider this.
To be clear, the deleted messages were of a mundane, logistical nature and did not, to my recollection, include anything significant to the work of the Force or OPCC.
Communication of that nature would only be made through secure emails on Force devices. That communication is retained and can be accessed for scrutiny if appropriate.
It is clear that the force is making progress in its journey of improvement.
That’s what the focus must be on, but that would not be the case if I remained in post whilst the situation regarding the whatsapp messages was looked into.
That, along with my health concerns, has made me decide to stand down with immediate effect.
It has been a huge honour and privilege to have been elected and then re-elected to serve local communities as their first Police and Crime Commissioner.
I am proud of the work carried out by my office, often under very difficult circumstances, including supporting good practice in policing, developing comprehensive support for victims and the vulnerable, working to re-habilitate offenders and prevent re-offending and constantly engaging with our local communities and being accountable to them. I wish you every success in the future, along with my successor, as well as everyone in my office and the entire workforce of Cleveland Police.
Yours sincerely,
Barry Coppinger.
THE resignation of Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger follows a string of scandals has plagued the force in recent years,.
Mr Coppinger has overseen four permanent chief constables in just eight years, including the controversial exit of Mike Veale last year following ‘serious allegations’ over his behaviour.
Officers remain under investigation under the IOPC’s Operation Forbes after journalists’ phones were unlawfully monitored; and there have been long-standing claims of racism within the ranks.
The former Middlesbrough Labour councillor said he would not stand for re-election to the £70,000-a-year job in May this year, after The Gazette and Teesside Live called for him to go.
But as elections were delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic he has remained in post – until now.
Paul Williams, Labour’s candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner, said he wasn’t surprised that Mr Coppinger’s health had been affected – blaming local Conservatives, including Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, of bullying the PCC.
Dr Williams, the former Labour MP for Stockton South, also pointed to the difficulties caused by huge central government cuts to budgets and officer numbers.
He said: “It doesn’t surprise me that Barry’s health has been affected by the challenging job of holding Cleveland Police to account and the personal attacks by some local Conservatives, including Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, who bullied when he should have kept his disagreements professional.
“As anyone who has struggled with their mental health will know, stress can be a huge burden to bear and I wish Barry well for the future.”
But responding, Mr Houchen said Dr Williams’ defence of Mr Coppinger was “improper and wrong”.
He continued: “It’s no wonder that
Barry Coppinger is stressed, when an investigation into him has been launched.
“I am not ashamed to hold the PCC to account, especially when Cleveland was found to be the worst police force ever in this country.”
Mr Turner also criticised Dr Williams for his defence of Mr Coppinger, saying: “This says so much about the man and his party and I’m sure the public will make of that what they will.
“I think it is highly appropriate that Mr Coppinger is finally doing the right thing by stepping down.”
Tory MPs have echoed the sentiment, with Matt Vickers, the MP for Stockton South, saying hardworking frontline police officers had “been let down by the force’s political leadership for decades”.
Redcar’s Jacob Young said in Mr Coppinger’s eight years, “we have had almost as many Chief Constables, accusations of corruption and racism, and the most damning report ever faced by a police force”.
He continued: “I wish him well in his retirement and hope the force can finally move on from this sorry episode.”
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Simon Clarke said: “The men and women of Cleveland Police deserve much better.”
Labour figures paid tribute to a “dedicated public servant”.
Alex Cunningham, MP for Stockton North, said: “No-one can over-estimate his personal sacrifice as he faced some of the toughest situations including the failure of several senior police officers and others to maintain the high standards demanded by Barry and the public.”
Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough, said: “The reality is that elected representatives like Barry give a massive personal commitment in serving their communities. Sometimes that commitment comes at significant personal cost and sacrifice and there comes a time when health, wellbeing and family have to come first.
“I thank Barry for his service and wish him well in his retirement.”