MPA: Alleged misconduct by senior MPS officer
46/08
9 September 2008
An extraordinary meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority’s Professional Standards Cases Sub-committee was held on Monday 8 September 2008 to consider allegations of misconduct brought against Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur.
Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stevenson asked the MPA (the organisation responsible for the appointment and discipline of senior MPS officers) to consider whether there had been any misconduct by AC Ghaffur following the public press conference he held on 28 August.
The Sub-committee concluded that there were potential grounds for misconduct and these have been recorded as a conduct matter. In consultation with HMIC, the Sub-committee will appoint an Investigating Officer of Chief Constable rank.
The Sub-committee further considered if there were any grounds for suspension of AC Ghaffur. Members concluded that the conditions for suspension, as laid down in Misconduct Regulations, had not been met.
The paramount concern for the MPA is that the MPS must maintain effective and coherent leadership and retain public confidence. Len Duvall, MPA chair, has written to the Commissioner seeking reassurance that appropriate management action will be taken.
Notes to editors
- The allegations have been recorded as breaches of Codes 2, 3 and 12 of the Police Code of Conduct, a schedule of the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2004:
- Code 2.
Police officers have a particular responsibility to act with fairness and impartiality in all their dealings with the public and their colleagues.- Code 3.
Officers should treat members of the public and colleagues with courtesy and respect, avoiding abusive or deriding attitudes or behaviour. In particular, officers must avoid: favouritism of an individual or group; all forms of harassment, victimisation or unreasonable discrimination; and overbearing conduct to a colleague, particularly to one junior in rank or service.- Code 12.
Whether on or off duty, police officers should not behave in a way which is likely to bring discredit upon the police service.
Further media information
For further information, please contact the MPA press office