Detectives accused over child sex inquiry
THREE WEST Yorkshire Police detectives face a misconduct hearing over alleged failings while carrying out an investigation into child sexual exploitation offences.
The officers, named only as Detective Inspector Bragg, Detective Sergeant Lofthouse and Detective Constable Dawson, will appear before the public hearing next week.
Among the allegations is that Detective Inspector Bragg “dealt with the parents of the victim in a manner that could undermine their trust in West Yorkshire Police and failed to treat the victim as vulnerable”.
The officer is also alleged to have failed to adequately supervise a junior colleague tasked with investigating child sex abuse offences.
Detective Sergeant Lotfhouse, who allegedly breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in relation to Duties and Responsibilities, is also accused of failures relating to a junior colleague.
They are also alleged to have failed to make sure the investigation into child sexual exploitation was treated as a serious sexual offence and to have failed to treat the victim as vulnerable.
Detective Constable Dawson will appear before the hearing accused of making inappropriate comments to the victim and failing to treat them as vulnerable.
According to the force’s website: “It is alleged that the officer failed to properly prioritise allegations of serious offending [and] failed to seek appropriate guidance from more senior and experienced colleagues.”