Dishonest police officers will face up to 14 years’ imprisonment under a new criminal offence of police corruption unveiled in the wake of allegations of serious failings in Scotland Yard’s investigation into the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence.
Damian Green, the policing minister, pledged that bent officers would face “the full force of the criminal law” under the proposals, which carry the same maximum sentence as burglary or importing Class B drugs such as cannabis.
The terms of the proposed legislation, first announced earlier this year, were wider than expected and will include officers who threaten to do something – or not do something – for an “improper purpose”.
It will also ensnare police who fail to act because of a friendship or other relationship with a perpetrator.
About time that bent coppers were brought to book.
Lock em up for ever!