‘Rude’ police officers to be formally punished under new rules
Officers will be punished for having sex, taking drugs or being drunk on duty in bid to improve the image of police
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Police officers who are rude to the public will face disciplinary action according to new rules, ministers are expected to announce next week.
In a new 10-point code-of-ethics created to improve the image of the police and re-build its public trust, officers who are found having sex on the job or turning up to work either drunk or using drugs will face punishment.
The punishments will range from verbal warnings to the possible dismissal of officers from their roles, while officers of all levels will be encouraged to report any breech of the code.
Authorities hope the new code, drawn up by the College of Policing and understood to be backed by Home Secretary Theresa May, will re-build public trust in the police following a series of high-profile scandals including the investigation into the Hillsborough disaster and the Plebgate row, and the force’s involvement in phone hacking.
The final version of the code is expected to be set before ministers on Tuesday in Parliament.
Tory MP James Clappison, who is a member of Home Affairs select committee, told The Telegraph: “The over-whelming majority of the police are polite to the public but I think it is useful to set out.
“I think this will be good for the police themselves and for the public and give them even greater confidence in them. The overwhelmingly majority of police are decent and conscientious.”
"If officers breach the code of ethics a range of sanctions are available. Officers may simply be given a verbal warning or moved to another team, but more significant failures will require formal investigation and may result in an individual losing their job.