Avon and Somerset PCC: 'It's not possible' to stop gross misconduct

A police and crime commissioner has said it is "not possible to eradicate" misconduct completely among officers.

Avon and Somerset PCC Mark Shelford made the comment ahead of a Channel 4 series, To Catch A Copper, which goes behind-the-scenes at the force.

The documentary-makers film how police look into cases against its own officers.

"Unfortunately, people change [after recruitment and vetting] for various different reasons," he added.

"You can never eradicate this [behaviour] completely."

Mr Shelford said the decision by his chief constable, Sarah Crew, to allow the filming had been "very courageous".

"It's about developing trust and confidence for the public so they can see through the lens of the professional standards department how the police, policethemselves," he said.

He denied that it would damage the public perception of the police, adding that the number of officers served with gross misconduct was just over 1% of the entire force.

"It's a tiny minority," he added.

The TV series, from production company Story Films, will focus on mental health, sexual misconduct and race, with the opening episode about officers accused of seriously mistreating or sexually exploiting people in their hour of need.

When two officers are called to a bridge at night to help a woman who has said she wants to take her own life, she is arrested, roughly handled and pepper sprayed in the face, before being taken into custody.

In another case, two officers mock a woman having a mental health crisis. Their behaviour is captured on body-worn video camera.

Between January 2019 and December 2023, a total of 56 officers and 44 staff and/or PCSOs either were dismissed during a gross misconduct hearing or would have been dismissed had they not resigned prior to it taking place, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Mr Shelford said a recent increase in the number of cases was proof that the system "was working".

"People feel more confident to report [misconduct] and that's terrific. It's a big organisation, it reflects society," he said.

"Whilst we've changed the vetting, we've changed the training, that culture journey is a journey.

"Some people don't live up to those cultures and if so, they have to leave."

Speaking previously, Ms Crew said the documentary will show the "challenges and complexities of the misconduct regime".

"Public institutions can be reluctant to open themselves up to this level of scrutiny, but people will see that we're facing into the issues, however uncomfortable, which I hope will help to improve trust and confidence in our ability to police by consent," she said.

"These cases are the exception and not the rule."

The series, To Catch A Copper, will air on Monday nights from 29 January.

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