Cleveland chief has case to answer for misconduct over phone damage

[Fedster 989]

CC Veale is said to be embarrassed by his behaviour.

Chief Constable Mike Veale

 

Date - 17th September 2018
By - Sophie Garrod - Police Oracle

2 Comments

 

Cleveland Chief Constable Mike Veale has a case to answer for misconduct for lying about how his work phone was damaged, the Independent Office for Police Conduct has concluded.

He told colleagues his phone had been dropped in a car park and run over by a vehicle but has since conceded he swung a club at his golf bag in frustration after playing a poor shot in between taking media calls in relation to Operation Conifer, accidentally smashing the device.

In an email to the Chief Officer Group, he wrote: “Hello all, Just to let you know that i [sic] my phone is broken, ran over by an unsuspecting vehicle. I will have this [iPad] most of the weekend so drop me an email of [sic] you need to get in contact. Cheers, Mike.”

According to anonymous allegations submitted to the watchdog in January, CC Veale, who was leading Wiltshire Police at the time, deliberately destroyed his work issued phone to hide contact with various parties over the force's investigation into Sir Edward Heath.

No evidence was ever found to support such claims and the chief was considered to have no case to answer for discreditable conduct.

However, it was found he has a case to answer relating to honesty and integrity.

CC Veale will be subject to a management action plan put in place by Cleveland PCC Barry Coppinger, including an ongoing programme of professional development.

Mr Coppinger said in a statement today: “Despite the enormous strain an unfounded allegation of this nature would place on anyone, CC Veale has conducted himself with the drive, energy and commitment required of him as Chief Constable of Cleveland. He was appointed to bring change and fresh thinking to Cleveland Police and he has not allowed this investigation to distract him from that course.”

IOPC director Catrin Evans, who oversaw the investigation, said: “The evidence gathered points to Chief Constable Veale damaging his mobile phone entirely by accident. He then arranged for all data from the damaged phone to be retrieved, and we found no evidence to suggest he was motivated to conceal information.

“Mr Veale volunteered to our investigators that he was embarrassed by his behaviour over a momentary loss of self-control on the golf course, at a time of personal and professional stress.

“However, chief constables are expected to promote ethical values, lead by personal example and act as ambassadors for the standards of professional behaviour. That Mr Veale chose to give a different account to the truth, both verbally and in writing on several occasions and for some time, in our view amounted to a case to answer for misconduct relating to honesty and integrity.”

A second part of the referral, concerning allegations he had disclosed confidential information relating to the same investigation, was returned to Mr Coppinger in January to deal with in any manner deemed appropriate.

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[Zulu 22 3,540]

Quote from the article" According to anonymous allegations submitted to the watchdog in January, CC Veale, who was leading Wiltshire Police at the time, deliberately destroyed his work issued phone to hide contact with various parties over the force's investigation into Sir Edward Heath". 

I am sure that he wanted to hide contact and messages on his mobile he could have used a far more certain fate for his phone.

I could understand why he would be embarassed  and want to hide the fact that he hit is gold bag with a club and inadvertently damaged his phone. 

[Funkywingnut 889]

A total non-story. Man damaged phone during sport. 

[Mac7 667]

Reckless damage of police property? And then being dishonest about how’s it happened?

[Beaker + 506]

What was it we were told, if you do something wrong or stupid a you should admit it. It's the lying that you get punished for rather than doing a stupid thing.

[Hyphen 598]

Spot on @Beaker it’s always what actually gets people in trouble, trying to cover it up or lying about it. So needless and silly.

[HazRat 762]

I’d love to see his management action plan......

 

Point 1 - Place phone in trouser pocket having fitted supplied case and screen protector.

Point 2 - Don’t loose your temper when playing golf. It’s only a game.

Job done.

[Pavillion 43]

On 17/09/2018 at 22:46, Funkywingnut said:

A total non-story. Man damaged phone during sport. 

I think the story is more about the dishonest reason given by the CC for the damage occurring rather than the actual damage.

[MerseyLLB 8,424]

In the current climate... very lucky he didn't lose his job.

However, I'm a man on proportionality. He should receive sanction but not his job over this.

[Jeebs 979]

33 minutes ago, MerseyLLB said:

In the current climate... very lucky he didn't lose his job.

However, I'm a man on proportionality. He should receive sanction but not his job over this.

Conversely, if you were to damage your police issued device and lie about it, it’s perfectly conceivable that you would lose your job. 

Honesty and integrity is non negotiable, unless you hold rank apparently.

[Truck driver 1 168]

Image copyright PA Image caption Mike Veale joined Cleveland Police as chief constable in March 2018

The chief constable of Cleveland Police is resigning after less than a year in the job, BBC News has been told.

It is believed Mike Veale was facing an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

He joined from Wiltshire Police, where he oversaw the inquiry into alleged abuse by former Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath.

In September, Mr Veale was found by the IOPC to have lied about how his mobile phone became damaged.

A statement about the resignation is expected later from the Cleveland force's police and crime commissioner Barry Coppinger.          https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-46946040

[Fedster 989]

Chief constable to resign

CC Mike Veale had case to answer for misconduct for apparently lying about how his work phone was damaged.

CC Mike Veale

Date - 21st January 2019
By - Martin Buhagiar - Police Oracle

4 Comments

 

Cleveland Police Chief Constable Mike Veale will resign today, Police Oracle understands. 

In September last year we reported that CC Veale had a case to answer for misconduct for allegedly lying about how his work phone was damaged.

He told colleagues his phone had been dropped in a car park and run over by a vehicle but then conceded he swung a club at his golf bag in frustration after playing a poor shot in between taking media calls in relation to Operation Conifer, accidentally smashing the device.

According to anonymous allegations submitted to the Independent Office for Police Conduct in January 2018, CC Veale, who was leading Wiltshire Police at the time, deliberately destroyed his work issued phone to hide contact with various parties over the force's investigation into Sir Edward Heath.

No evidence was ever found to support such claims and the chief was considered to have no case to answer for discreditable conduct.

However, it was found he had a case to answer relating to honesty and integrity following the golfing incident. 

In September, Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger said in a statement: “Despite the enormous strain an unfounded allegation of this nature would place on anyone, CC Veale has conducted himself with the drive, energy and commitment required of him as Chief Constable of Cleveland. He was appointed to bring change and fresh thinking to Cleveland Police and he has not allowed this investigation to distract him from that course.”

IOPC director Catrin Evans, who oversaw the investigation, said: “The evidence gathered points to Chief Constable Veale damaging his mobile phone entirely by accident. He then arranged for all data from the damaged phone to be retrieved, and we found no evidence to suggest he was motivated to conceal information.

“Mr Veale volunteered to our investigators that he was embarrassed by his behaviour over a momentary loss of self-control on the golf course, at a time of personal and professional stress.

“However, chief constables are expected to promote ethical values, lead by personal example and act as ambassadors for the standards of professional behaviour. That Mr Veale chose to give a different account to the truth, both verbally and in writing on several occasions and for some time, in our view amounted to a case to answer for misconduct relating to honesty and integrity.”

As NPCC lead, the chief constable was due to make a keynote speech at the National Missing Persons conference at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium on Thursday.

On the morning of the event he told organisers he had to return to Cleveland because “his mother was ill”.

On the reported resignation, Phil Shakesheff – one of the conference organisers – said he was “surprised” at the news.

The West Mercia force harm assessment supervisor said the chief constable’s non-attendance at the Old Trafford ground had been a “big disappointment” for all concerned.

He added: “His speeches have always gone down very well at previous events.

“He has a done a great deal for the missing persons’ agenda.”

Neither the force or PCC's office has commented on the claims yet.

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[Cathedral Bobby+ 872]

Lost count of the number of Cleveland Police senior officers who leave under a cloud. Add that the first Cleveland PCC ended up in prison for fraud. Seems a continual downward spiral since Operation Lancet and the fallout from RoboCop Ray Mallon (he did all right going on to be Middlesbrough's first Elected Mayor). The force is under perpetual scrutiny and one enquiry seems to lead to another. Staff morale is always quoted as being rock bottom. I think Cleveland needs a new model, perhaps becoming part of a larger force. 

[Funkywingnut 889]

8 minutes ago, Cathedral Bobby said:

Lost count of the number of Cleveland Police senior officers who leave under a cloud. Add that the first Cleveland PCC ended up in prison for fraud. Seems a continual downward spiral since Operation Lancet and the fallout from RoboCop Ray Mallon (he did all right going on to be Middlesbrough's first Elected Mayor). The force is under perpetual scrutiny and one enquiry seems to lead to another. Staff morale is always quoted as being rock bottom. I think Cleveland needs a new model, perhaps becoming part of a larger force. 

Welcome back

Cleveland Police is prime to be soaked up by Durham I reckon. 

[ParochialYokal 969]

What a stupid way to lose a career. Why not put your hands up and just pay for a replacement?