Final Report of the Morris Inquiry: The Case for Change

THE CASE FOR CHANGE
How the case was handled
Investigation process
10.89 The independent investigator made the following comment in relation to
how the complaint about Chief Inspector Pendry’s remarks was made:
“It is clearly unfortunate if not unacceptable that where serving police officers hear such a
remark, or suspect that another officer, irrespective of that officer’s rank, have made a racist
remark, they did not report the fact to a more senior officer at the earliest opportunity. In the
circumstances surrounding the remarks subject to this review, the delay appears unacceptable.”
10.90 While we understand that junior officers may feel reluctant to criticise the
actions of more senior officers, we hope that our recommendations for reform of
the disciplinary and grievance procedures will facilitate earlier and swifter resolution
of such problems in the future.
10.91 We do, however, consider that late reporting of an allegation, particularly
where the complaint is not made directly to the officer concerned or her line
manager, is a factor that should be weighed in the balance by those responsible for
its investigation.
10.92 Despite the lateness of the reporting of the allegation, there remained an
opportunity for early resolution of the complaint. This was missed because the MPS
immediately adopted formal processes which involved the formation of a Gold
Group and the involvement of senior managers:
“With regard to the issue of resolving this complaint at the earliest possible stage, mention has
already been made of this matter. The reviewing officer is of the opinion that there were clear
opportunities for this to be done at an early stage and ironically the officer indicated in her
response to the Form l63 (regulation 9 notice) that if she had offended someone she would
have liked to have the opportunity to apologise.” (Independent investigator’s report).
10.93 For her part, Chief Inspector Pendry made it clear to the MPS and the
Inquiry that she was open to an early and amicable resolution of the matter:
“Obviously, as I said in my response to my 163 (regulation 9 notice), which was obviously
delayed as well, was the fact that had I said something that could be resolved at the time I
would like to have sat down with the officers, discussed the issues, and, if necessary and if
appropriate, apologise. I do not feel in this case I had to apologise but I would have had to
have heard what they said first of all.” (Evidence of Chief Inspector Pendry.)
10.94 We consider that had the opportunity been taken at any early stage, the
matter might have been resolved in a way that could have satisfied the
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