Detective cleared in probe on death of boy, three

AN “EXCEPTIONAL” senior detective has been cleared of all allegations relating to an investigation into the death of a three-year-old boy.

Detective Superintendent Mark Swift was one of three officers alleged to have breached professional standards in the way they looked into the death of Riley Siswick, found dead at his home in Huddersfield in February 2016.

An initial investigation, led by Mr Swift, did not result in a prosecution but a further inquiry eventually led to Kyle Campbell being convicted of murdering Riley. The boy’s mother, Kayleigh Siswick, was found guilty of causing or allowing the death of her child.

A misconduct hearing, which began in September last year and resumed last month, cleared Mr Swift of all allegations, West Yorkshire Police said.

The force said misconduct was proved on a limited basis in relation to the two other officers – Detective Inspector George Bardell and Pc Oliver Scoones – but the force said the panel concluded they would face no further action.

West Yorkshire Police was ordered to hold the misconduct hearing by the Independent Office for Police Conduct after it determined the three officers had a case to answer for gross misconduct in relation to the initial investigation.

Last year, Detective Chief Superintendent Nick Wallen – who led the second investigation which led to the convictions of Campbell and Siswick – told the hearing Mr Swift was an “exceptional senior investigating officer”.