Legal and Professional Standards Department - Wrongdoing: fraud code of practice procedure (P01f)

1. Summary of changes

1.1 This standard operating procedure (SOP) has been reviewed in March 2023 - no amendments to content have been made. 

2. What this procedure is about

2.1 The chief constable and the Police Crime Commissioner will not tolerate fraud within Kent Police.

2.2. It expects its managers to take positive action to deal with allegations of fraud or corrupt behaviour. If there is any criminal evidence, the matter shall be referred to Professional Standards.

2.3. This SOP should be read in conjunction with the Code of Ethics.

Compliance with this SOP and any governing policy is mandatory.

3. Detail the procedure

3.1. The misuse of public money or resources (belonging to Kent Police) for private gain and the offering, giving, solicitation or accepting of an inducement or reward which may influence the actions of police and police staff will not be tolerated.

3.2. Any member of Kent Police staff identifying such matters or suspecting that anyone is engaged in such activities had a duty to report it forth with to a manager.

3.3. If for any reason that person does not wish to report it to their own line manager, they must report it to another manager. Other avenues for reporting include Professional Standards Department, The Police Crime Commissioner's office, or Protect, which is a charity whose services are free and confidential. Their telephone number is 0203 1172520 and further details can be found at protect-advice.org.uk.   

3.4. Reports can be made to the professional standards department via the anonymous email system and the confidential telephone line.

3.5. Any manager receiving such a report or allegation must take immediate steps to secure and preserve any evidence and inform the Professional Standards Department. Support should be given to the reporting individual including confidential treatment.

3.6. Kent Police has a gifts and hospitality register on inSite. Members of staff receiving gifts and hospitality should record them in conjunction with the SOP on such matters. This applies to all members of staff regardless of rank or position within the organisation.

3.7. All members of staff are required to register with Kent Police any direct or indirect financial interest in any company or contract which involves Kent Police in any way. This includes current or possible contracts for business and procurement.

3.8. Similarly all members of staff are required to register with Kent Police any direct or indirect friendships, kinships, membership of a society or organisation.

3.9. On both counts, this is to prevent allegations being made. Careful judgement is required in each case by an individual as a relationship such as these could give rise for suspicion by others.

3.10. In any case of doubt, staff are advised to contact Professional Standards and Vetting.

4. Equality Impact Assessment (EIA)

4.1. An EIA has been carried out and shows the proposals in this policy would have no potential or actual differential impact on grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, transgender, disability, age, religion or belief or sexual orientation.

5. Risk assessment

5.1. This SOP has been assessed as low risk.

6. Consultation

• Detective Chief Inspector Professional Standards
• Detective Constable Professional Standards

7. Monitoring and review

7.1. This SOP will next be reviewed in March 2025.

8. Security

8.1 Kent Police have measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management policy (Policy W1000 – Information Management).

9. Retention and disposal of records

9.1 Kent Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention and Disposal policy (Policy W1012 – Records Review, Retention and Disposal).