Police Confidence...

[snowdragon]

Sorry if in wrong place

just need some advice and it may sound sill, do not want this going any further!

My best friend was asked by a Police Office about someone close to her, she is worried that what was said will get  back to the person, is this likely.

She is so worried it will, she mentioned the persons late sister while talking to the Officer  but seem  the person   knows but not who told the Police, will they tell on her?

 

Sandy

[Homer67]

In my experience the Police are terrible at keeping anonymity secure. A long time ago the Police badgered me into giving evidence on an assault case and told me the  perpetrator would not find out my ID and I would not have to see them in court.

 

On the day  I turned up and was escorted by two cops who decided they wanted breakfast and walked me straight to the court canteen and sat me opposite the perpetrator - I had no idea who he was and was wondering why this bloke was staring at me so I asked the cops and they said "oh that's the bloke you're giving evidence against"

 

I was fuming and wanted to walk out there and then but the cops told me I would be held in contempt if I did.

 

Consequently it turned out this bloke lived near me and after asking around he identified me and turned up in the pub one day and made threats, I reported that to the Police who did precisely nothing.

 

Over the years I have had the usual interactions with the Police that most law abiding  people do (neighbour was burgled etc) and each time they have proven themselves disinterested or downright incompetent. 

 

I would never trust the Police or help them again.

Edited May 16, 2023 by Homer67

[snowdragon]

that reply will scare her even more, thought what you told Police went no further

 

Please can anyone advice on this, my  friend is so scared and worried, if the person   finds out she has said something out of line then no idea what happen.

Tbh she has no idea why it was bought up during the conversation with the officer , just trying to help her if I can, she has 2 children to think about as well.

 

is there anyone here who can actually help/advise please, friends needs know asap , or  anyone I can PM? 

[honeybee13]

It depends who sees your thread, Sandy, we can't just magic up people. I'll send an SOS to a couple of people to see if they're around at the moment.

 

HB

[snowdragon]

thanks HB, she just so worried/scared right now

[Homer67]

I realise my reply will scare her, unfortunately that's what happened to me.

 

It could happen to her, at least now she knows.

[snowdragon]

Homer at the time I think  she was not even thinking straight and without saying to much   the person now knows but not who told the Police, she honestly thought what was said was  between her and the Police Officer, without going into too many details it has now escalated

[honeybee13]

How do you mean escalated, Sandy?

 

HB

[snowdragon]

HB can not say here, just that  the person my friend said some about they now know      but not who said anything, just say he is not happy

[snowdragon]

HB, have sent you a PM, hope was ok

[snowdragon]

Thank you HB for the advice, if there is anyone else  here who can help/advice be much appreciated

 

 

Sandy xx

[honeybee13]

Did you act on any of my general advice, Sandy?

 

@Homer67, it would be interesting to know if you took this any further with more senior people in the police, please?

 

HB

[snowdragon]

which bit of advice HB? Sorry I am all over place trying to help her, I did look online but found nothing about confidentiality 

[honeybee13]

Well some of it you didn't want to put on the open forum as it's personal so I'll keep that part confidential.

 

I've seen stuff on Google that mentions police duty of confidentiality. Is she prepared to take this further with the police force involved, someone higher up? To be honest, I don't know if that's the way to go, I'm just thinking out loud.

 

Is there a police liaison officer or social services person to talk to?

[snowdragon]

sent you a message HB X

[honeybee13]

I have it. I'm trying to keep as much as possible on the thread.

 

It sounds as if your friend doesn't want to take this further with either the police or social services. I don't know what else to suggest atm.

 

HB

[Homer67]

@honeybee13 I did make an official complaint as well as the subsequent report of the bloke making threats and nothing happened, no feedback, no support, nothing.

 

This was about 35 years ago, I have had various innocent interactions with the Police since then (traffic stuff and reporting crime for others) and I am wholly unimpressed with every experience I have had with them.

[Manxman in exile]

Without knowing the details (which I don't want to know) if your friend really wants to make an official complaint she needs to follow these steps:  Independent Office for Police Conduct  (They used to be the Independent Police Complaints Commission)

 

 

I've not had occasion to look at it for some time, but I seem to recall that even if you complain direct to the IOPC they will first refer it to the force you are complaining about.

 

Simply read and follow whatever they say.  Despite what Homer says I would encourage you (or your friend) to make a complaint if you consdider the matter serious enough to do so.  If people doen't complain nothing will get fixed.  If they do complain there is a possibility that it might.

 

Personally I would always also copy any police complaint into the local Police and Crime Commissioner from the outset.

 

Good luck

[Homer67]

I would certainly hope that things have changed in the last 30 odd years regarding complaints being handled correctly but the original question was about the Police's ability to secure confidentiality.

 

I hope that's improved as well but I have doubts!

 

If what your friend said was taken as a statement then I believe she has the option to withdraw that statement by notifying the Police she wishes to do so, they will try to pressure her to not do that but she just needs to say she wants to withdraw.

 

If what she said wasn't an official statement then the Police can't use it anyway.

[Manxman in exile]

I suspect that might be like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube...

[snowdragon]

she has not made a statement, the officer was just asking her questions to which she replied

[Manxman in exile]

So has what your friend feared might happen actually happened?  (ie it's got back to the person that she was asked about?)

[snowdragon]

yes he knows but not who told the Police officer, thats what she doe not want to happen, just say he is not  a happy bunny

[honeybee13]

So how is he reacting as a happy bunny?

 

Again, if your friend doesn't want the ex to know what she said I'd have thought she needs to tell the police not to tell him?

 

HB

[snowdragon]

HB what ex?  He knows as Police mentioned it but not who told them!