Plebgate and police relationships

By Jeremy Swan

Twitter: @Jez_Swan

 

Quote

‘When a man assumes a public trust, he should consider himself as public property.’ Thomas Jefferson

 

News

Recent developments in the ‘Plebgate’ scandal in the UK have brought police relationships with politicians and the public into focus. In October last year Andrew Mitchell, then Conservative Chief Whip, was forced to resign over allegations that he called a police officer a ‘pleb’. Mr Mitchell repeatedly denied using the word, although he admitted to swearing in front of a police officer.

 

On Wednesday the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) accused police of lying about a meeting they had with Mr Mitchell in an attempt to force his resignation and put pressure on the government to backtrack over police cuts. According to the IPCC, the police investigation into the incident had initially concluded there should be a misconduct inquiry, yet the final report was changed and said no action would be taken.

 

Our society expects high moral standards of those in public roles; trust is damaged when these standards are not met. Public trust requires that the law will be applied without partiality, and that there will be an unwavering commitment to truth and justice. In Mr Mitchell’s case it perhaps seems that some individuals were prepared to sacrifice justice in pursuit of their own interests.

 

If these allegations against the police are proved to be true, we must ask whether the police can be trusted to regulate themselves, as they have been allowed to do in this case. How also might they repair the broken relationships with the public and the politicians?

 

An apology to Mr Mitchell would be a good start.

 

Read on…

A recent IPCC statement about the police investigation can be listened to online by clicking here.

 

Walk the talk

Acting with integrity allows trust to be built in our relationships, leading to stronger, more resilient bonds. Even if it comes at short term personal cost, investing in integrity will pay dividends in the long run.

 

The last word

From the Bible, Proverbs chapter 20, verse 7: ‘The righteous who walks in his integrity – blessed are his children after him!’