No charges for senior officers over social event
TWO senior police officers will not face criminal charges relating to alleged misconduct at a social event, the Crown Prosecution Service has said.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigated allegations directed at two senior Gwent Police officers related to conduct at a social event in Cardiff in June 2019.
A “full file of evidence” was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider whether to bring criminal charges against the two last year, an IOPC spokesperson said.
The CPS said it considered the allegation of sexual assault against one officer while prosecutors considered allegations of misconduct in public office and improper exercise of police powers in respect of the second officer.
A spokesman said the CPS has decided the legal test has not been met to charge either officer with any offence.
The IOPC said it will now discuss potential disciplinary proceedings with Gwent Police.
A CPS spokesman said: “Following a referral of evidence by the IOPC regarding the alleged conduct of two senior police officers the CPS has decided that our legal test is not met to charge them with any offence.
“We considered the offence of sexual assault against one officer and misconduct in public office and the improper exercise of police powers against the second officer.”
An IOPC spokesman said: “We have been advised by the CPS of its decision not to bring any criminal charges against any Gwent Police officers over their conduct associated with a social event in Cardiff in June 2019.
“At the conclusion of the investigation, carried out by Avon and Somerset Police and directed by the IOPC,
a full file of evidence was sent to the CPS for consideration last year.
“We will now be discussing with Gwent Police potential disciplinary proceedings.”
A spokesperson for Gwent Police said they are unable to comment at this time.