‘Empower watchdogs’ call on police conduct

COUNCIL LEADERS in Yorkshire have urged the Government to empower police watchdogs to properly investigate and hold elected police and crime commissioners (PCCs) to account.

Policing minister Nick Hurd has been told “a gap in legislation” had become apparent during an inquiry into the behaviour of the North Yorkshire’s commissioner, Julia Mulligan, towards members of her own staff.

North Yorkshire County Council leader Carl Les and Hambleton District Council deputy leader Peter Wilkinson said that they had been compelled to highlight the limited powers currently available for dealing effectively with any complaints about the conduct of a PCC.

The move comes just weeks after allegations that Mrs Mulligan subjected staff to “bullying behaviour” were upheld by the county’s Police and Crime Panel.

She has been given until November 14 to respond to the recommendations of the report, which included that she undertook management training and used a mentor to support her.

After the findings were published, Mrs Mulligan said she would have appealed against them if it were possible.

The councillors, who lead the county’s Police and Crime Panel, said reviewing and deliberating on such a complex case without recourse to investigatory powers, meant the process could only draw on the complainants’ statements and the PCC’s written response to the concerns. They said the allegation had been assessed “as fairly and thoroughly as it could”, but it had not been possible to fully test the evidence.