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| Conclusion of operation into corruption and misconduct in public office Merseyside Police has pledged its commitment to investigate allegations of corruption following the sentencing of former officer Greg O'Leary and eight others at Liverpool Crown Court. The completion of the trial brings to a close an extensive and thorough investigation into the most serious allegations of corrupt activity that the Force has ever had to face. The investigation team was commended by His Honour Justice Openshaw who highlighted the work of the Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Arwel Williams, Detective Sergeant Dave Galt and DC Jon Kent. Operation Nahum was mounted by the Force Professional Standards Unit to investigate specific allegations concerning corrupt activity involving former Constable, Greg O'Leary, and his associate, Mark Mitchell, who was a retired Merseyside Police Constable. Greg O'Leary joined Merseyside Police in 1985 and during his 21 years served as a uniformed constable and detective. At the time of committing these serious offences he was stationed at Stanley Road police station where he worked as a Neighbourhood Constable. Deputy Chief Constable Jon Murphy, said: "In this country the public quite rightly have high expectations of police officers and Merseyside Police is committed to meeting those expectations by demanding high standards of professionalism and integrity of staff. "Greg O'Leary's criminal behaviour was despicable and completely unacceptable and in some instances he put police officers lives at risk, which is a betrayal of the worst kind. His actions have tainted the good reputation of this Force and he has let down his colleagues who day in, day out, provide a professional and quality service to members of communities across Merseyside. When a police officer is found to be corrupt it makes our job as serving police officers even harder and it can take time to win back the trust of the people we serve. "Operation Nahum uncovered a sophisticated group of organised criminals who were prepared to pay large sums of money to obtain confidential police information on themselves and their close criminal associates. "The evidence gathered clearly shows that those convicted as a result of this operation were actively involved in a wide range of serious criminal activities including the importation and distribution of cocaine Ecstasy, possession of firearms, distribution of counterfeit currency and organised football related violence. "Merseyside Police will always deal robustly when allegations of police corruption and this is upheld by the Force's decision to dismiss Mr O'Leary from the Force before his sentencing today. Today's sentencing sends out a clear message to both members of the public and our own police staff and shows that Merseyside Police is committed to providing the public with a professional service and we will not tolerate any abuse of office." Those sentenced were: Greg O'Leary (Misconduct in public office) - three-and-a-half years (other counts were dealt with and will run concurrently); Mark Mitchell (Conspiracy to corrupt - 2 years 11 months; Lawrence Reynolds (Conspiracy to corrupt and possession of counterfeit money) - two years and six months; Joseph White(Conspiracy to corrupt) four months (2 years suspended); Gary Disley (Conspiracy to corrupt) - six months; Ian Redmond (Aiding and abetting misconduct in public office - four months (this will run consecutively with a 21 month sentence he is currently serving for Evading duty, which he started to serve at the end of February); Francis Perry (Conspiracy to corrupt) - six months; Warren Pearson (Aiding and abetting misconduct in public office) - seven months; Harold Foster (Aiding and abetting misconduct in public office) - 100 hours community service. |