Commander Brian Paddick: statement by Toby Harris, Chair MPA

31/02
21 March 2002

At today’s meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority the Chair, Toby Harris, made the following statement to all Members.

“Following reports in several Sunday newspapers making various allegations against Commander Paddick, on Monday 18 March, under the urgency procedures (Procedural Standing Order 11), the Clerk, Catherine Crawford, the Chair of the Professional Standards and Performance Monitoring Committee, Richard Sumray and I met to discuss the appropriate action. I also spoke to the Commissioner. The following decisions were taken:

• to invite an officer from an outside force to investigate allegations that Brian Paddick had committed criminal offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1991 (s5(2) and s8) and was in breach of internal MPS guidelines relating to contact with persons on bail; 
• voluntarily to refer the investigation to the Police Complaints Authority to supervise;
• not to suspend Brian Paddick from duty.

“The decision on Brian Paddick’s deployment and whether he should remain in Lambeth, is a matter of internal management, and is for the Commissioner. 

“However, I did advise Sir John that in view of the intense media focus on Brian Paddick it was difficult to see how he could in the short term effectively discharge his duties. He has been temporarily moved to work in Territorial Policing at New Scotland Yard: he has not been relieved of his command or replaced. 

“In the MPA press release of 18 March (27/2002) I acknowledged the major contribution Brian Paddick was making to community confidence and the reduction of crime in Lambeth. I am happy to repeat that support for what he has achieved today, at this public meeting. I should record that figures for reported street crime in Lambeth fell by 1% in February. This takes the figures to their lowest level for a year after. Lambeth is also having further success in tackling burglary with a 14% decrease from February 2001 to February 2002.

“Finally, it is very important to emphasise that the Authority has a duty to consider and take the appropriate action in respect of any senior officer, if potentially serious allegations are made. The private or personal life of any such officer is not an issue. The investigation is specifically in respect of allegations about possible criminal offences and a possible breach of internal guidelines. There were and should be no other considerations.”

Notes to editors

A special meeting of the Professional Standards and Performance Monitoring Committee was convened today (21 March) to discuss the case and determine the next steps, including considering the draft terms of reference for the investigating officer, who will be of Deputy Chief Constable rank and from an outside force. The meeting was not open to the public.

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