News from Dee Doocey: Met’s extravagant perks for senior officers must now go

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Dee Doocey, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on the Mayor’s admission today that the provision of chauffeur driven cars and free accommodation for police officers of ACP0 rank is difficult to justify said:

“At long last the Mayor has finally admitted that more needs to be done to tackle the immense perks received by senior police officers.

“There is no justification for senior police officers enjoying chauffeur driven vehicles simply to get to work every day,  or to be whisked around London to attend meetings.  The provision of free accommodation is another perk which should have long gone.

“At a time when the Met’s budget is under such immense pressure and difficult decisions are being made it is simply offensive that senior police officers hold on to these extravagant perks.  Ending these perks would release over a million pounds a year which could be invested in frontline policing.

“The Mayor’s admission that these perks cannot be justified must now lead to real action.”

ENDS

1. ACPO is the Association of Chief Police Officers

2. The Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group amendment to the Mayor’s Draft Consolidated Budget 2012 - 2013 proposes the abolition of the provision of chauffeurs for ACPO officers, with the exception of those required for security reasons.

3.  Details of Dee Doocey’s question to the Mayor can be seen at a webcast of today’s meeting of the London Assembly.  Dee Doocey asked the Mayor about the perks enjoyed by senior Met police officers at 1 hours, 34 minutes and 30 seconds into the meeting: