Independent inspection delivers ringing endorsement of RGP

The Royal Gibraltar Police enjoys strong leadership and teamwork that delivers a good standard of policing, according to an independent report that also found the public had “a high degree of trust” in its police officers.

The report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary [HMIC] identified a number of areas where the RGP can work to improve how it prevents and fights crime in Gibraltar.

But in broad terms the long-awaited document, which was published yesterday by the Gibraltar Police Authority [GPA], delivers a ringing endorsement of the challenging work carried out by the men and women of the RGP.

It also dismissed persistent suggestions of bullying that have plagued the force for the past two years.

“Across all of our fieldwork we did not encounter any suggestion of bullying or harassment,” the HMIC inspectors said in their 36-page report.

“Instead, there was a general view that the force had an ethical culture and was a good place to work.”

The HMIC is the UK’s independent statutory body charged with inspecting British constabularies.

The inspection in Gibraltar was commissioned by the GPA, which also set the terms of reference in consultation with the four inspectors.

Unlike police forces in England and Wales, the Royal Gibraltar Police is not subject to statutory inspection by HMIC. It can, however, be inspected at the request of the GPA.

The HMIC team found strong evidence of leadership, teamwork and an ethical culture within the force,

“We found that the Royal Gibraltar Police was generally well led,” the report said.

“Senior officers were visible and had good oversight of policing activity.”

“There was a committed workforce, actively engaged with the public, with a strong sense of pride, a clear direction and, as it was described to us, a 'one team' culture.”

Those factors translated into “a high level of confidence” in the RGP and its officers.

“It was clear to us that the public felt the force was committed to protecting and helping the community,” the report added.

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