Final Report of the Morris Inquiry: The Case for Change

THE CASE FOR CHANGE
7.86 Whilst we have received evidence praising the way in which DPS dealt with a
case, this was very much the exception rather than the rule.
7.87 We would like again to put on record our thanks to all these individuals who
took time to tell us about their experiences. We know that for many of them the
process of coming before the Inquiry and reliving their experiences was somewhat
distressing. Without exception, all the individuals we heard from were motivated by
a desire to prevent another person going through what they had experienced.
7.88 We hope that the MPS listens to what they have told us and finds the
determination to learn from their experiences.
7.89 We have attempted to group our concerns under convenient headings but,
as will be clear from the evidence, some cases are illustrative of more than one issue.
Delay – “Lives on hold”
7.90 We have already referred to the issue of delay as being one of the criticisms
we have received in relation to the Regulations themselves. It is one of the reasons
we are recommending wholesale reform.
7.91 However, we have received evidence which would indicate that the delays
that occur in professional standards matters in the MPS are not solely a result of
the system.
Case of Ms JJ
Ms JJ was one of a number of officers subject to a disciplinary investigation arising out of an
incident in February 1999. The incident resulted in criminal proceedings against two
members of the public and also a public inquiry. The public inquiry reported in January 2003.
Despite the investigation having started in 1999, it took a further 18 months after the report
of the public inquiry (i.e. until July 2004) for decisions to be taken about whether any officers
should face disciplinary charges.
Even when a decision was made that they should face charges, those involved were not told
what these charges would be. They were told that the discipline team had not yet had time
to decide, notwithstanding the fact that the investigation had started over 5 years earlier.
154