Predatory behaviour among police forces is 'prevalent’

Watchdog’s report attacks 'risk appetite’ in vetting process

- MAYA OPPENHEIM

A culture of misogyny and predatory behaviour towards members of the public, female police officers and staff is pervasive in many police forces, a watchdog has found.

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary's new report found police are not adopting high enough standards when screening potential officers as they warned it is too easy for the "wrong people" to become officers and remain in the police force.

The watchdog, which analysed hundreds of police vetting files, unearthed too many cases where individuals should not have been permitted to become police officers, including those with organised crime connections.

Inspectors, who undertook field work in eight police forces including the Met Police, Cumbria, South Wales, Nottingham and Dorset, discovered cases where evidence otential officer could endanger members of the public was overlooked.

The report unearthed cases where officers moved from one force to another, even though they had a track record of troubling complaints, intelligence, or had claims of misconduct levied against them.