Disappointing is perhaps not strong enough to describe how I felt this weekend.
Reading a news report that a police officer in my previous force has been convicted of insurance fraud is not good news for anybody. This includes the public, West Yorkshire Police and the officer (and now a criminal) himself.
I’ve posted recently about the “insider threat” in business and giving too much authority to those you trust in the business bringing additional risks. Nobody wants to mistrust their employees and colleagues, and I get that entirely.
The link with the news of an officer being convicted of fraud and the “insider threat” in your business is for me clear. This officer was motivated to commit fraud, found an opportunity to do it, and then rationalised to himself why he should do it. Fortunately, this dishonest officer was caught. If a police officer (with vetting checks, integrity as a core expectation etc.) can commit fraud, businesses should not think they are immune from employees defrauding their companies.
How do you prevent those you trust from stealing from you?
