Cops make £120k in deal handing out flyers to crash victims offering them help making claims
Private firm Car Call Ltd paid Hampshire Police £24K-a-year over five years
COPS made more than £120,000 in a deal by handing out flyers to crash victims offering them help to make claims and get replacement cars.
Private firm Car Call Ltd paid Hampshire Police £24,000-a-year over a five year period.
Motorists complained fearing their details were being sold on by the force sparking an investigation.
It found that a chief inspector who introduced the scheme later joined the company, based in Havant, along with several other ex-officers.
Drivers thought police endorsed the company and were left confused.
Officers said they felt uncomfortable dishing them out.
After a two year probe, the deal – sanctioned by the now defunct Hampshire Police Authority - was scrapped.
It found the scheme relied “on police interaction with the public at a point of vulnerability" to "sell" the services of the claims firm.
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One local said: "Next the ambulance service will give out funeral plans to passengers in the back of the ambulance, the fire brigade will probably give you the business card of a local decorator as they are hosing down the flames of your burning house.
"What sort of a society are we living in?"
Jack Goldstein said: "Just like all companies, the police, unfortunately, have to make a profit somehow.
"Whilst not illegal, it certainly questions their moral compass."
Thames Valley Police - which shares roads policing with Hampshire - rejected an approach by Car Call.
Hampshire police and crime commissioner Michael Lane said: “While this historic arrangement was lawful, concerns were rightly raised by officers and members of the public.
“Following review of the ethical committee’s observations, I took my decision to give notice and end the agreement with Car Call.”
Car Call UK managing director Gavin Little refused to comment due to "confidentiality" and "contract restrictions.”