High professional standards remain essential
A statement from Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex.
In publishing the latest quarterly report into misconduct and discipline matters, for July to September 2015, I continue to support the strong leadership shown by Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh and the Essex Police Chief Officer team.
Police officers constantly put themselves at risk to protect the public, and they deserve our support and gratitude. If an honest mistake has been in good faith, in a high pressured, fast moving situation, then training and supervisory support will often be the best way forward.
However, if for instance police officers or staff exploit or abuse a position of trust with regard to a victim of crime with whom they come into contact, then I believe the public and other police officers would expect firm action to be taken by the Chief Constable.
The latest quarterly report can be read here:
PSD QUARTERLY REPORT JULY TO SEPTEMBER 2015
On the detail of the report, the case identified as IPCC independent investigation MI/39/14 relates to convicted murderer Lewis Daynes. Please note that on November 25, 2015, the IPCC published the following statement:
The IPCC has found no issue with the way Essex Police handled a rape investigation in 2011
Following a referral from the force in 2014, the IPCC investigated the force’s response to the rape allegation, including whether its decisions and actions were in accordance with local and national policies and guidance.
The investigation examined the actions of the detective constable who led the investigation and found the officer had actively pursued all lines of enquiry based on the information available and the actions taken were justified and proportionate in the circumstances.
The detective inspector (DI) overseeing the investigation was found to have sufficiently scrutinised and managed the rape investigation and the detective chief inspector responsible for reviewing the DI’s assessment of the investigation, was found to have applied proportionate and appropriate decision-making.
Due to the sensitive nature of the original investigation, the IPCC will not be publishing its final report.
