Valuing, protecting and enhancing public esteem

This chapter highlights cases where serving police officers have committed serious crimes. A case, in 2021, involving the kidnapping, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by P.C. Wayne Couzens caused revulsion among members of the public and decent police officers alike. Women fearing for their safety in the public arena were particularly distressed. Another case involved PCs Jaffer and Lewis, imprisoned for photographing the dead bodies of stabbed murder victims Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman. The officers circulated photographs of the women on ‘WhatsApp’ describing them as ‘dead birds’. Concerns have arisen about the continuing fall of public confidence in police. This chapter stresses the dangers of using social media and the importance of ethical behaviour at all times and the parts sergeant and inspector leaders can play in regaining and maintaining public trust.