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Police in credit card abuse

Posted on 20. May, 2009 in Credit cards, General News

About 35 cases of fraudulent use of American Express cards by police officers of Scotland Yard are being investigated by an Independent Police Complaints (IPCC) Commission. One detective officer of the Specialist Operations division has been released on bail after questioning on Tuesday.

The ‘outbreak’ of unauthorized spending

An inquiry was launched last year after auditors found that nearly £2m of expenses were unjustified.

In 2003 the Metropolitan Police issued 3,533 American Express credit cards to its staff in attempt to lessen bureaucracy associated with claims for expenses required for their jobs. The credit cards were initially issued to counter-terrorist detectives and those in diplomatic and royal protection.

Top hierarchy involved

Scotland Yard’s anti-terror chief was cleared of wrongdoing after he was investigated over similar suspicions. Deputy Assistant Commissioner John McDowall was also investigated by the IPCC. Another senior officer under investigation is Commander Ali Dizaei, who is currently suspended from duty awaiting a separate inquiry into his case. In 2008 a former detective sergeant John Gallagher, was sentenced to eight months imprisonment and suspended for two years. Former detective sergeant Richard De Cadenet was incarcerated for 10 months after pleading guilty to spending more than £70,000 on his police-issued credit card.

While some are awaiting trial, other officers have received official warning. A total of 1,400 credit cards have been withdrawn from police officers as part of the inquiry. Investigations continue.