PSNI investigates 20 staff over work-from-home 'spoofing'

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 8 Oct, 11:38 · Archive

The PSNI has launched an investigation into 20 officers and staff suspected of 'productivity spoofing' while working from home.

The PSNI has launched Operation Akarpos to investigate 20 officers, staff and contractors suspected of 'activity/productivity spoofing' whilst working from home. The investigation was carried out by the Anti-Corruption Unit.

Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said the practice can include taking steps to make users appear active and online when they are in fact away from their laptops. He confirmed that no 'systemic abuse' of home working arrangements was identified through the investigation.

Remote working was introduced during the pandemic and the PSNI said it wanted to retain the capability because it offers flexibility for officers and staff whose roles are compatible with it. However, Singleton acknowledged that one of the recognised challenges with remote working was ensuring effective supervision whilst staff were not in the workplace.

Singleton said: 'As an under resourced and funded service we want the board to be assured that we will not tolerate inefficiency but dishonesty even more so. Our communities need to see value for public money and resources especially when we are asking the Northern Ireland Executive and British Government for additional funding.'

Individuals' privileges have been amended where working from home is unavoidable or removed where it is not, Singleton explained. The investigation has been welcomed by politicians, with SDLP assembly member Colin McGrath saying the public rightly expects officers and staff to be working when being paid to work, particularly given the PSNI's financial and staffing pressures.

How it is being reported

• Police work-from-home 'spoofing' investigation launchedOperation Akarpos has been launched to guard against abuse of remote working and to ensure the productivity of staff.BBC Northern Ireland · 8 Oct, 11:14
• Deputy Chief Constable statement as PSNI investigating 20 staff members over 'activity spoofing'It follows an investigation into remote working of officers, staff and contractorsBelfast Live · 8 Oct, 11:07
• ‘Productivity spoofing’ crackdown sees 20 police staff’s home working investigatedThe PSNI said no ‘systemic abuse’ of arrangements was identifiedBelfast Telegraph · 8 Oct, 06:20
• PSNI officers face probe into ‘spoofing’ while working from homeBut senior officer claims no ‘systemic abuse’ of arrangements identifiedBelfast Telegraph · 8 Oct, 06:20

In this story: PSNI · Bobby Singleton · Anti-Corruption Unit · Northern Ireland · SDLP · Colin McGrath

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