Cambridgeshire Constabulary
Ethics Playing Cards
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5
You’ve been working with a colleague for over a year, and you have started to become close. It is not a relationship yet, but it could be. When do you discuss the situation with your boss?
Case Studies
- What if one or both of the people involved are also in a relationship with someone else?
- How would the situation be different if one of the people involved was in a leadership position?
- What would you do if you suspected domestic abuse was an issue between two colleagues who are in an on/off relationship?
Discussion
Relationships in the workplace are a complex area, but also, ultimately, account for a large number of police marriages. Ideally there will not be a subordinate/ manager relationship but if so, it can be accepted if the force knows about it and there is transparency. PSD should be advised and updated if there is a change in circumstances (e.g. a new relationship).
- Management need to be aware of likely tensions or potential conflicts of interest, but at what point is it a relationship that you should declare? What about if things go wrong or if it ends badly? Relationships can fail and a messy break up could have implications for the professional working environment. While no one wants things to turn nasty, it is possible for vexatious, or even real allegations to be made regarding controlling behaviour, domestic abuse, or DV etc. These allegations can escalate very quickly as they must be taken seriously and acted upon appropriately. It is also possible for positions of control or influence to be abused, or for claims and perceptions of bias to be created.
- What would you do if you were concerned about DA between two colleagues in a relationship?
- Please refer to the Abuse of Authority Policy which covers this topic in detail. It acknowledges that relationships between colleagues is normal, but discusses where there could be misconduct (i.e. covert/hidden relationships or relationships with power imbalances).
- Details for reporting to PSD can be found in the resources below, if there is a change is circumstance.
If a relationship is not declared, it can potentially compromise both parties, as well as those who are ‘in the know’. Risk management meetings are good ways of making sure that the force knows about it and can be most effective if offered by the officer(s) themselves, as this offers greater transparency from the start. It should not be a relationship that is ‘found out’. This should be something that is considered by people who join a force or transfer in, where they may have had pre-existing relationships with other members.