Police chief: My regret over daughter's actions

Mr Whitehouse's wife criticised his officers in a newspaper article, saying they did not understand the force's domestic policy after they arrested her daughter Frances.

Elizabeth Whitehouse, an employment lawyer, said the officers knew Frances and her boyfriend Lloyd had a violent relationship but still chose to prosecute her for kicking a policeman in the head.

The memo reads as follows:

I KNOW that many of you will have read articles published during the last week in the Daily Mirror, The Guardian and The Argus, concerning my daughter Frances. I also know the articles have provoked a mixture of emotions among staff, ranging from bewilderment to anger.

Until now I have not discussed issues surrounding my daughter because I believe it is a private matter. As a father, I have done what I can to protect her from publicity that results from my position as Chief Constable. Many of you are parents and I hope you understand my position.

However, by speaking to the Press in such detail and by making public allegations, my daughter has caused many of you to think that I had a part in what she is doing.

I wish to make one thing clear, I had no knowledge of what my daughter said or the content of these articles prior to their publication. I have consciously removed myself from all discussion, both at home and at work, over these matters. It has not been easy.

It seemed particularly odd to some people that my home was used for some of the interviews. My daughter lives with me; my home is her home. I did not know which journalists she was seeing or I was not at home when any interviews were conducted.

The perception among some is The Guardian article undermines the exceptional work done by Maria Wallis (the Deputy Chief Constable) in advancing the way our service deals with domestic violence.

Maria has my fullest support and I have encouraged her in pursuing her Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) work on this. As a direct result the service has made great strides in providing a more sensitive and appropriate response to victims of domestic violence.

These have been recognised by the partners we work with, many of whom were highly critical of our initial response but who now believe we are providing a professional service to victims. Not surprisingly, Sussex has been at the forefront of this and the Anti-Victimisation Initiative in Brighton and Hove and Shoreham Divisions in particular leads the country.

I understand that there is a widespread view that if allegations of this nature had been made by anyone else, Sussex Police would have published a rebuttal.

The Deputy Chief Constable will decide if a rebuttal is appropriate and she will decide on the content. I will not discuss this with her and I will have no input, just as I had no input into the investigations of the allegations against Frances, or those made by her.

I know that despite my attempt to be open and frank, there will be those who doubt what I say. I can understand that but I value my integrity above all else. If anything I have said were not true, it would be found out. While I cannot be held responsible for my daughter's actions, I recognise the depth of feeling those actions have stirred. I sincerely regret that.

With the opening of the trial (Sussex officers accused in connection with the shooting dead of a man in Hastings) at the Old Bailey, this is a sensitive time for Sussex Police. It is important for the morale of all of us and for the reassurance of the public we serve, that we do everything we can to emphasise the good work we are all doing. The timing of these articles goes against this and I regret that.

I am proud to be the Chief Constable of Sussex Police and most of all I am proud of the achievement of all our staff. This will be a testing year for us all, and I for one need your support. I know together we can sustain the reputation of Sussex Police as one of the most innovative and forward-thinking police forces in Britain.

Paul Whitehouse