UK: Police raid "corrupt" officers
01 January 1998
A "ghost squad" of anti-corruption police officers from the Metropolitan police's internal investigation squad, CIB3, took part in a series of raids on the homes and offices of serving and former policemen at the end of January. Documents were seized during the raids on the men who were based at the Flying Squad offices at Walthamstow, East London. Twelve officers were suspended following the operation and another 2 face suspension; five former officers were also targeted. The future of the prestigious Flying Squad in London looks extremely tenuous and it is difficult to see how it can avoid being disbanded.
The Flying Squad (popularised as "The Sweeney" in the television drama series) was formed in 1919 and was the first squad to use undercover officers on a large scale and to employ a "supergrass" system where criminals received lighter sentences for informing on colleagues. The squad had became a byword for corruption by the 1970s and in 1976 its Commander, Kenneth Drury, was jailed for 8 years. The investigation grew to become "Operation Countryman", which cost ?4 million and resulted in nearly 500 officers leaving the force. Less than 80 were formally dealt with through criminal or disciplinary action with only 2 officers convicted of any offence.
During the 1990s Stoke Newington police station become the focus of allegations of corruption and was the centre of a two year investigation, "Operation Jackpot". Despite over 130 separate allegations of corruption only 2 officers were charged. Two other officers, who were investigated as part of the Jackpot operation, were later jailed; one for stealing from a corpse, the other for involvement in a massive cannabis importation ring. In 1994 the BBC exposed a South East Regional Crime Squad officer who was selling information to criminals - he was jailed for 11 years.
The latest raids followed an investigation by the specialist team, made-up of former detectives, ex-MoD policemen and financial experts, which is reported to have discovered over two hundred corrupt policemen. Many of them are detectives with high-profile units and have been involved in major criminal activities. The charges against them include bribery, destroying evidence, recycling drugs and leaking information.
A recent report by the Commons Select Committee on Home Affairs, at which Sir Paul Condon said that the Metropolitan police could have up to two hundred and fifty corrupt officers, expressed concern that police officers were delaying and escaping punishment. From 1995-96 more than 70% of Metropolitan police officers under investigation or facing disciplinary charges retired on medical grounds. This figure fell to about 50% in 1997.
Independent 30.10.97, 30.1.98; Guardian 20.12.97.