The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Five staff have been suspended as part of an investigation into 999 calls at Lincolnshire Police.
An investigation was launched in January, after allegations were made that staff within the force control room were calling 999 at quiet times and ensuring the calls were answered quickly to improve their performance figures.
The staff are all former police employees who transferred four years ago to Lincolnshire Police’s strategic partner G4S, which provides “back room” support such as call handling.
Lincolnshire Police aims to answer 92 per cent of 999 calls within ten seconds – two per cent higher than the national indicator – and can impose financial penalties on G4S if the targets are not met.
Following the allegations, Lincolnshire Police informed the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which has supervised and been kept fully informed of the internal investigation.
A spokesman for Lincolnshire Police said the force has also “engaged early” with the Crown Prosecution Service, which has advised there has currently been no criminal conduct revealed by the investigation.
Senior management of G4S have also been kept informed of the enquiry and have provided technical support.
The five force control room staff were informed on Monday they had been suspended from duty and were under investigation.
They will be now be interviewed jointly by Lincolnshire Police and G4S and will be dealt with through staff disciplinary procedures when the investigation is complete.
A spokesman for Lincolnshire Police said: “We have established that at no stage has there been any risk to the safety of members of the public.
“Arrangements have been made for the smooth operation of the force control room to continue and the service to the public will not be adversely affected.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones, who has been fully briefed on the investigation, said: “I am assured Lincolnshire Police and G4S are taking the appropriate action.
“I am also assured that at no time has there been any risk to the public and the control room continues to operate normally.”
