Criticism after Cumbria police officers breach social distancing rules during party
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria has criticised a group of junior officers who were found to have breached social distancing rules during a party.
Peter McCall said that the public expect a higher standard from police in adhering to the coronavirus guidelines.
It follows an incident believed to have taken place on 12 June at the home of one of the officers.
A group of police constables, based at Workington Police Station, were having a private party when a neighbour complained that they were in breach of social distancing regulations.
Police were called to investigate the incident, though no fines were issued.
The officers, who’ve not been named, later received formal management action.
In a statement, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria, Peter McCall said: “The Chief Constable has briefed me that there has been a social gathering where a small group of junior staff failed to adhere to social distancing guidance.
"This is correctly an operational matter for the Chief Constable to manage.
“The incident was dealt with at the time, as it would have been for any other member of the public. In line with the operational policing national guidance (engage, explain, encourage and enforce) a more senior officer attended and the gathering was dispersed.
"I do think the public can reasonably expect a higher standard from Police Officers in situations like this and in addition, the staff have received formal management action from a senior police officer for failing to adhere to the standards expected.
“As the number of Covid cases continue to fall it is important that we must all continue to work together to fight COVID-19 so that we can focus on the recovery of our economy as quickly as possible.”
Cumbria Police said that it was not a criminal matter but confirmed that the staff involved had received formal management action.
In a statement, a spokesman said:“We were made aware of a social gathering where some of our staff were failing to adhere to social distancing guidance.
"This is not a criminal matter but the staff concerned have received formal management action for failing to adhere to the standards we expect of them.”