Five G4S employees working for Lincolnshire Police suspended following anti-corruption investigation

Five G4S employees working in the Lincolnshire Police Force Control Room have been suspended following an internal anti-corruption investigation.
Police control room PNL-150826-145818001Police control room PNL-150826-145818001
Police control room PNL-150826-145818001

In January 2016, Lincolnshire Police began an investigation after an allegation that staff within the Force Control Room were calling 999, at quiet times, to ensure calls were picked up quickly to improve performance statistics.

Police immediately informed the Independent Police Complaints Commission of the allegations and an investigation has been carried out under its supervision.

Today, Monday May 23, five Force Control Room staff have been suspended from duty and have been informed they are under investigation.

The Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed there are no criminal charges to be answered but Lincolnshire Police said the matter will now be dealt with through staff disciplinary procedures.

The staff involved are all former Lincolnshire Police employees who transferred to G4S four years ago.

New Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones has been fully briefed on the investigation and said: “I am assured that Lincolnshire Police and G4S are taking the appropriate action.

“I am also assured that at no time has there been any risk to any members of the public and the Force Control Room continues to operate normally.”

In a statement, G4S said: “The company has been cooperating with an investigation by Lincolnshire Police into allegations that members of staff in the force control room made repeated 999 ‘test calls’ at quiet times to improve perceived overall call handling performance.

“Data shows that at no point did these calls put members of the public or other front-line police officers and their staff at risk. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has also reviewed the evidence and has determined there are no grounds to pursue a criminal prosecution. Consequently the matter has now been passed to G4S to deal with under company disciplinary procedures and the 5 members of staff will now be interviewed jointly by G4S and Lincolnshire Police.

Managing Director for G4S Public Services, John Shaw, said:“We have suspended 5 employees today and have taken swift action to begin our investigation process.

“While I can reassure the public that at no stage did the actions of these people put the public or police colleagues at risk, I am nevertheless dismayed that this group of staff sought to influence important performance measurements. We continue to work closely with the force and share any data and other information required.

“There is no place for anyone in our organisation who behaves in this way and their actions undermine the commitment and the good work of their colleagues.”

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