The Role of an Ethics Committee in Guiding In-House Counsel Through the Legal Minefield

Michael Stamp, Senior Force Legal Adviser, Devon & Cornwall Constabulary

Once it is suggested that a lawyer or an organisation that they work for is unethical, there is little that can be done to stop the inevitable tide of censure and rebuke. Acting unethically – whether intentionally or inadvertently and “getting it wrong”, can have dire implications. For an individual breaching ethical duties there is the risk of regulatory censure. More significantly, for the organisation that those individuals work for, questions are likely to be asked about a lack of compliance culture and, in the worst case, whether the organisation is fit to provide services, whether that be commercially or in the public sector.

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UK Ethics General December 2023 Vol.16, No. 65, Autumn 2023

Michael Stamp

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Mike Stamp was appointed Director of Legal Services for Devon and Cornwall Police in September 2006, with his role developing into the Director of Legal, Reputation and Risk in 2015. In 2015 he also became Director of Legal Services in Dorset who are in a Strategic Alliance with Devon and Cornwall Police. His portfolio includes Legal Services in Devon and Cornwall and Dorset, and Information Management in Devon and Cornwall and Dorset and Corporate Communications in Devon and Cornwall. He is a Chief Officer/Executive member in both forces. Mike and his team regularly sit on Gold and Silver groups, which are responsible for the management of critical incidents. As the member of the Executive with portfolio responsibility for Information Management, Mike holds the position of the Senior Information Risk Officer (SIRO) on behalf of Devon and Cornwall and Dorset. Mike Chairs the South West SIRO's meeting. In addition, the Information Management department is responsible for Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Disclosure, Information Assurance and information sharing with partner agencies for both Devon and Cornwall and Dorset. The Alliance Information Management Department is also responsible for Records Management and Data Quality within Devon and Cornwall. The Corporate Communications department covers internal and external communications including reputation management and digital media. Mike currently chairs the national committee for the Association of Police Lawyers and chairs the Devon and Cornwall Police Ethics Committee and was (during the pandemic) the Vice Chair of the National Operation Talla (Police response to Covid pandemic) Ethics Committee. Mike is the chair of the Devon and Cornwall Force Sports Association and is an active member of a number of Force Sporting Sections. Mike holds the National Police Chief Council (NPCC) Portfolio for Human Rights and in that capacity sits on the NPCC Diversity, Ethnicity and Inclusivity Coordination Committee. Mike is a qualified Solicitor and lives in Devon.

Devon & Cornwall Constabulary

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Law Enforcement agency

UK Ethics General December 2023 Vol.16, No. 65, Autumn 2023
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