Policeman’s ‘seven-year wait’ for misconduct case to be dismissed

A POLICE officer’s ‘gross misconduct’ hearing came to nothing and was dismissed – after a near SEVEN-YEAR investigation into him sparked by ‘multiple, repeated allegations,’ a federation said.

Greater Manchester Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, has hit out at police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in a Facebook post in the wake of the case.

But the IOPC has accused the federation of ‘misrepresenting’ the facts.

The watchdog said its investigation was completed within 15 months and it provided its report to GMP three and a half years ago.

Despite the allegations they made against the officer, a sergeant, the complainants ‘refused’ to attend the misconduct hearing at GMP headquarters on Monday, which was thrown out by a panel within an hour, the federation said.

The IOPC said the panel cited a delay bringing the case to a hearing. They also referenced ‘matters completely outside the IOPC’s control.’

The watchdog confirmed it investigated a complaint regarding the conduct of GMP officers during an arrest made in Rochdale in November, 2014.

Two officers were subsequently found to have a case to answer for gross misconduct.

The case was then passed back to GMP.

One officer left the force but the other – the sergeant – answered allegations at the hearing, which were dismissed, that his conduct amounted to a breach of the standards of professional behaviour for use of force.

The IOPC has faced repeated criticism within policing circles over the time it takes to conclude formal investigations into officers when official complaints are made against them. Stu Berry, chairman of the GMP Police Federation, said the unnamed officer had ‘been under investigation for a third of his 24-year career at great personal cost to him and the public purse.’

“His personal life and career have suffered a colossal detriment and I hope he can begin the healing process,” added Mr Berry within the Facebook post.

In a statement, an IOPC spokesperson said: “This investigation into complaints of racism and use of force was completed within 15 months and our report provided to GMP three and a half years ago.

“In dismissing misconduct proceedings on Monday 8 November, the panel cited the delay in bringing the matter to a hearing; the absence of witnesses, including police witnesses; and problems with medical evidence.’’

His personal life and career have suffered a colossal detriment GMP Police Federation chair Stu Berry