Operation Jackpot
01 March 1994
Operation Jackpot, the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) investigation into reports of widespread corruption at Stoke Newington police station, in north London, has been completed. The inquiry, which began in April 1991 and was concluded in February was led by Detective Superintendent Ian Russell and overseen by William MacCall of the PCA.
It is the most extensive inquiry into police corruption since the 1970s and investigated 22 cases, with a total of 134 complaints against 45 uniformed police officers. Sixty-five of the complaints involved the planting of drugs; there were 27 allegations of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and 27 claims of theft. Nine other complaints involved police assaults.
The Hackney Community Defence Association (HCDA), which has been monitoring events at Stoke Newington, has recorded 90 - 81 drug-related - allegations against Stoke Newington officers. In 77 cases people have been charged with a criminal offence; twenty two of these cases have resulted in acquittals, in 18 cases the prosecution offered no evidence and thirty-five cases resulted in convictions (with two waiting to appear). Of the convictions 11 cases were successfully appealed and 16 cases are outstanding.
On its completion the Jackpot report was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), reportedly with the recommendation that ten officers - the ringleaders - face prosecution. The CPS has been heavily criticised in the past for its handling of corruption charges against the now disbanded West Midlands Serious Crime Squad, when it failed to bring charges, despite recommendations from the investigating officers.
The HCDA is also sceptical about the outcome of the inquiry. They expect only a handful of prosecutions of junior officers on minor charges to result from the investigation. Speaking for the HCDA, Graham Smith said: "Operation Jackpot has been unsatisfactory on all levels. Its terms of reference were too limited and it has taken far too long...Internal police complaints investigations cannot succeed because the police investigate themselves behind closed doors and the community will not talk to the police."
The HCDA, supported by Brian Sedgemore, the Labour MP for Hackney, have called for a judicial inquiry into the policing of the borough (See also Statewatch vol 2 no 2 & no 5).
A submission by Hackney Community Defence Association to Home Secretary Michael Howard to order a judicial inquiry into policing in the Hackney and Stoke Newington divisions of the Metropolitan Police service HCDA. 3.2.94. (Available from HCDA, 10A Bradbury Street Dalston London N16 7JN); Police Complaints Authority finish supervision of "Operation Jackpot" PCA press release 3.2.94.