Changes to police counter corruption guidance following media concerns
Counter Corruption guidance for police has been updated following a call from media to clarify that journalists are not equated with criminals when assessing association risks to policing.
Each police force in England and Wales sets its own counter corruption policy using national guidance from the College of Policing. The guidance required forces to include ‘journalists’ along with ‘criminals’ and other individuals who can pose corruption risks, within a list of notifiable associations that require disclosure by officers and staff.
The College of Policing has reviewed the guidance and has now made changes to clarify the distinction in the risks posed by professionals, such as journalists and criminals.
Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh, chief executive officer at the College of Policing, said: “The media holds a uniquely essential role for the police by both reporting on our public appeals for information whilst holding us to account and without it the public is not served well.
“The media made strong representations to make changes to the national counter corruption guidance for police and I agree there should be a clear separation between legitimate professions and those under investigation or with criminal records.
“In recent years the relationship between policing and the media has cooled and, in the meantime, we have seen the rise of misinformation online. We’re now working together to make changes so that the public has access to timely and accurate information to keep them and their families safe.
“I am grateful for the media’s diligent work and careful consideration as we balanced the guidance to ensure we protect the public and correctly identify journalists within their profession.”
The guidance is now available for all police forces in England and Wales.
Rebecca Camber, chair of the Crime Reporters Association (CRA) said: “In 2022 the CRA complained that the national counter corruption guidance for officers equated the profession of journalism with criminals, extremists and suspects.
“We are delighted that the College of Policing has agreed to amend this guidance in recognition of the key role that journalists fulfil in keeping the public informed about policing and holding forces to account.
“Media reporting not only helps solve crimes, but it also helps bring offenders to justice and keep communities safe.
“We believe this is a significant step towards the rebuilding of a successful working relationship between police forces and the media which remains essential to public confidence and policing legitimacy in the UK.”
Dawn Alford, executive director at the Society of Editors, added: “The Society welcomes this long-awaited decision by the College of Policing to re-draft its national guidance on counter corruption which previously risked wrongfully equating the media industry with the wrongdoing and corruption it seeks to expose.
“Journalists fulfil a vital role on behalf of the public in bringing offenders to justice.
“A successful and professional working relationship between officers and journalists remains essential to policing legitimacy in the UK.
“We hope this new guidance sends out a strong message that a healthy working relationship between the media and police forces should be promoted and that, as recognised by the College, the media and police must work together to usher in a new era of communication and cooperation.”