Commissioner forced to admit ‘concerns’ raised with police

This was quite a good one – not exactly the original expenses scandal and not quite on the same scale of the investigation into what the MPs were doing. Initially it was denied but in the end they had no choice but to admit that the concerns were initially raised by members of his own office. It was lined up for that day’s front page splash. I was on the early shift and I was a bit nervous when I faced a barrage of questions from the editor over whether or not the story stood up. In the end my notes backed it up and it went to press. Always a good feeling when you get a good exclusive.

STAFF working for Cumbria’s police commissioner were today forced to admit they sparked the criminal investigation into a leak concerning Richard Rhodes’ expenses.

As revealed on Tuesday, two members of police staff were arrested – and a third suspended – after details of Mr Rhodes’ £700 bill for chauffeured Mercedes trips were revealed earlier this month.

This provoked widespread concern that alleged whistleblowers faced possible charges and court appearances – despite the fact the expenses of the crime commissioner are detailed on his own website.

A spokeswoman for Mr Rhodes’ office yesterday denied he had been involved in launching the investigation into who had leaked the details, saying it was a probe by Cumbria police.

“All operational policing issues are the responsibility of the Chief Constable and are independent of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office,” the statement said.

However, when later quizzed again by the News & Star and told that Cumbria Police said they had become involved after a complaint from the commissioner’s office, a spokeswoman confirmed they had raised “concerns”.

She was adamant, however, that the “next action” was the responsibility of the Chief Constable.

A 47-year-old man and 50-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of data protection offences and misconduct in a public office. Both police civilian workers have been suspended from work and bailed until next month.

A third, a 59-year-old man, has been interviewed and suspended. He was not arrested.

A Cumbria police spokeswoman yesterday confirmed that the investigation was being carried out by officers from the force in response to the complaint from Mr Rhodes’ office.

She said: “Cumbria Constabulary has internal policies and processes that supports officers and staff who want to raise legitimate issues or concerns in a lawful and appropriate way.

“Our investigation is focusing on data protection issues and the unlawful disclosure of confidential information.

“The investigation was launched after police received concerns that confidential information was leaked to the media relating to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s expenses.

“Initial concerns were raised by a member of staff within the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) after a member of the local media approached the OPCC for a comment on a story they intended to publish.”

The Cumbria Police and Crime Panel (PCP), which is responsible for handling any non-criminal complaints made against the Police and Crime Commissioner, is now also investigating the matter.

A panel spokesman said the organisation had received a letter, dated April 8, relating to the commissioner’s use of chauffeur driven cars and added: “This letter has now been determined as a complaint.

“Following the panel’s complaints procedure, officers are now reviewing the complaint and looking to see whether any resolution can be reached. The outcome of this work will be reported to the next panel meeting on July 19.

“If the complaint cannot be resolved the panel will be asked to decide on what action should then be taken.”

News of the arrests sparked calls for Mr Rhodes to step down from his post and John Reardon, a Carlisle-based Green Party activist, accused Mr Rhodes of using intimidatory tactics to cover up legitimate whistleblowing.

He said: “This is what happens when you politicise the police. Serious questions need to be asked as to whether Mr Rhodes used his position to silence internal whistleblowers who are perfectly legitimately asking questions about public money.”

He said that a standard Freedom of Information request would have exposed the £700. Questioning the arrests, he said: “Mr Rhodes should go.”

Documents seen by the News & Star showed Mr Rhodes’ office was charged £313 to take him and his wife to and from their home in the south of the county to Rydal Hall at Ambleside, in January.

Another bill of £385 was for a trip from home and back to The Pheasant Inn at Bassenthwaite.

Stuart Edwards, chief executive of the crime commissioner’s office, said an important part of the commissioner’s role was meeting the public and hearing their views on policing priorities and this included a number of evening engagements across a large geographical area.

He added that it was decided for reasons of personal safety to provide a driver for some evening functions and on only two occasions was a private hire company used.

“When the commissioner was appraised of the cost he immediately stopped the practice of hiring drivers,” he said.

“The Commissioner has personally reimbursed the full cost of the journeys. A review took place with alternative arrangements now being progressed.”

£519,000 cost of crime commissioner’s office

NEW figures have shown that the office of Cumbria ’s Police and Crime Commissioner costs £519,000 a year to run.

Richard Rhodes was elected into the post last November in a bid to save money, streamline bureaucracy and set key crime and policing priorities.

His office includes 11 posts, two part-time, and the total includes two vacancies.

However, a former member of the police authority has said that the two organisations probably cost about the same to run.

Councillor John Mallinson said there were 17 police authority members, each paid an allowance of £9,000, with around seven or eight members of staff. He said it probably cost about the same to run and added: “If you take into account the allowances and the staff salaries there’d not be a fag paper between them.”

But he said the commissioner had saved costs in certain areas and that he felt the role could be a positive step forward.

The posts include: chief executive/monitoring officer; chief finance officer; communication and engagement executive; partnerships and strategy manager; governance and business services manager/deputy monitoring officer; commissioning contracts manager; community engagement /media officer; executive officer to the commissioner; independent custody visiting scheme administrator (P/T); and finance and budget assistant (P/T).

The commissioning contracts manager role was recently advertised with a salary of £48,500 – Mr Rhodes’ salary is £65,000.

From the Carlisle News & Star on Thursday, April 18, 2013.