Officers visiting sex workers
Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.030139
I note you seek access to the following information:
Daily Mail 01/05/223:
'A high-ranking Scotland Yard officer was allowed to keep his job despite being found to be a regular user of ‘high-class’ prostitutes, the Mail can reveal today.'
1. Please provide all information held outlining for officers the consequences of their using sex workers.
2. Please provide all information held alerting officers to the risk of being blackmailed as a consequence of using sex workers and the concomitant threat to national security.
Decision
I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.
Please find below information pursuant to your request above.
Q1 - Please provide all information held outlining for officers the consequences of their using sex workers.
The Standards of Professional Behaviour and the Code of Ethics set out expected standards of behaviour for officers and staff members, as applicable.
The Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020, Standards of Professional Behaviour states that in relation to Discreditable Conduct:
‘Police officers behave in a manner which does not discredit the police service or undermine public confidence in it, whether on or off duty.’
The Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020 (legislation.gov.uk)
Whilst members of police staff are not subject to Regulations, the Standards of Professional Behaviour apply to all; this is highlighted within the Foreword of College’s Code of Ethics which states:
‘These principles underpin and strengthen the existing procedures and regulations for ensuring standards of professional behaviour for both police officers and police staff. This gives the profession and the public the confidence that there is a system in place to respond appropriately if anyone believes that the expectations of the Code of Ethics have not been met’.
College of Policing - Code of Ethics
Where disciplinary proceedings are effected for Staff colleagues, the process to be followed is detailed within the Police Staff Discipline Standard Operating Procedure and its associated Toolkit.
There has not been a specific policy to set out the standards of professional behaviour and any use of a sex worker.
Q2 - Please provide all information held alerting officers to the risk of being blackmailed as a consequence of using sex workers and the concomitant threat to national security.
National Guidance - The NPCC have been consulting to produce a Sex Worker National Police Guidance April 2023 which contains specific reference to Professional Standards.
The MPS is imminently publishing internal guidance and is in liaison with the NPCC lead and will coincide with NPCC guidance.
Advice and assistance
Should you wish to request information held by NPCC you can make a request for information to NPCC