Police force 'committed' to rooting out corruption
BBCA senior Derbyshire Police officer said it is "understandable" people have lost trust in the force and that rooting out "corruption and poor performance" was a top priority.
Temporary Chief Constable Simon Blatchly spoke out after three high-profile misconduct hearings, in which two officers were sacked and a third was charged with misconduct in a public office.
One officer was sacked over racist and sexist remarks, a former sergeant was charged with abusing his position, and a former officer was sacked over motoring offences.
"I just want to root out any corruption, any poor performance. It's not acceptable," Blatchly said during a hotseat interview with BBC Radio Derby on Tuesday.
"I've got over 2,000 police officers, 1,500 staff, and the vast majority are honest, upright and come to work every day to deliver a service for the people of Derbyshire," he added.
"But, if there are any allegations made we do a proper investigation into it.
"If people need to be held to account, we will do that, if it's criminal, we will put in a criminal file and they end up in court, or, if it's internal, it goes to a gross misconduct panel."
Blatchly added the force had taken a stronger view on vetting.
"We make it absolutely clear that when you become a police officer, you are a police officer 24/7.
"Standards of behaviour that might be acceptable in public with what you might consider to be a joke aren't acceptable necessarily as a police officer."
"We are officers of the Crown. It is a privilege."
Blatchly told the BBC this month's misconduct hearings proved the force would not sweep its issues "under the carpet".
"We're open and honest when this does happen, we publicise it, and we're not hiding anything," he added.
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