IPCC continues investigation into NBPA financial affairs

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is independently investigating the actions of former members of the Cabinet of the National Black Police Association (NBPA).

It follows concerns raised by a Home Office review of the association’s corporate governance and financial management for the period 2003 to 2005.

A Home Office statement at the time said: “Following the initial audit report of the accounts of the National Black Police Association (NBPA) by the Home Office Audit Assurance Unit, the NBPA cabinet were informed on April 2 that due to inadequate financial controls and the lack of other financial management procedures, their grant and grant in aid funding for projects and administration was frozen.”

The Home Office auditor’s final report was presented to NBPA cabinet officers who then sought to execute the recommendations made.

“The NBPA will benefit from the systematic review of the structure and governance. We are certain the association will emerge more robust and astute to deal with national strategic issues,” said an NBPA statement.

The IPCC has now decided to conduct an independent investigation, using its own investigators, to ascertain whether there is evidence that any of the responsible office holders during that period of the association committed any disciplinary or criminal offence.

“The NBPA has a vitally important role to play in the national policing and it is clearly in the public interest that we conduct such an independent investigation to ensure that the full facts are known,” said IPCC Commissioner John Crawley, who is overseeing the investigation. “To that end IPCC investigators have met with members of the present NBPA Cabinet to explain the remit of our investigation.”

The National Black Police Association (NBPA) has welcomed the continuation of the investigation, which the current executive initiated into the past practices of how it was administered prior to their election in November 2005.

“The current NBPA executive Cabinet are determined that the organisation moves forward from a firm base and have already taken significant steps and implemented a number of changes to maintain its position as the leading representative group for Black Police in England and Wales,” an NBPA spokesperson said.

“We realise that there are people who will wish to use this in a negative way. But we see this as a positive way to ensure that our members receive the best support they can; and an opportunity of making us fit for the purpose we were created for.”