Royal present on list of gifts given to the police
9:10am Wednesday 19th September 2012 in Latest News
HOMEMADE strawberry jam, a four-pack of lager and some royal leather gloves are among the gifts received by Wiltshire police officers and staff this year.
Grateful members of the public, force suppliers and even the Princess Royal are among the long list of people who have showered police employees with gifts, in a register now published online on the constabulary’s website.
The move to be more transparent was made in response to the Bribery Act 2010, and officers and staff are required to record any offers of gifts or hospitality, their value and whether or not they were accepted.
Between January and June this year employees for the force were given £312.49 in items or hospitality, including a pair of leather gloves worth £25 for former Chief Constable Brian Moore from Princess Anne, A bottle of champagne worth £17 was given to an unnamed member of staff and a house plant worth £5 for a community support officer.
Some officers decided to pass on their gifts to charity, with Help For Heroes get a £30 Marks and Spencer vouchers and Age Concern acquiring a £30 bracelet.
Professional Standards Department Chief Inspector Adrian Griffiths said: “In March 2012 Wiltshire Police updated its gifts and hospitality policy and procedure.
“This was to incorporate the Bribery Act 2010, to provide clearer guidance to staff and officers who may be offered gifts or hospitality to help them understand what may or may not be acceptable and how to register the offer.
“The policy was also updated in line with the national report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary into police integrity called Without Fear Or Favour and follows Association of Chief Police Officer guidance on the subject.
“The policy requires police officers and police staff to report via an internal electronic form any offer of gifts or hospitality beyond occasional offers of insignificant value.
“These include refreshments provided by the public at the scene of an accident or in the course of neighbourhood policing, for instance.
“A gifts and hospitality register, with rank listed rather than name, is then published on the Force website.”
A force spokesman added it was against policy to disclose the names of officers in receipt of gifts. To see the force’s gift register visit www.wiltshire. police.uk.
