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Cleveland Police Authority misconduct probe nears completion


Cleveland Police Authority misconduct probe nears completion

THE misconduct part of the ongoing corruption investigation into Cleveland Police Authority could be completed within two months.

The team heading Operation Sacristy - the probe into CPA - say they hope a file will have been considered by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and the authority by the end of June.

Almost 5,000 documents have been gathered and more than 700 people have been named as part of the investigation into alleged misconduct and criminality.

Keith Bristow - the former Warwickshire Chief Constable and now director general of the new National Crime Agency - has been leading Sacristy since last May.

It was then that he was asked to conduct a criminal investigation into a number of people with current or past associations with CPA.

The external investigation was triggered following initial internal inquiries into the manner in which some individuals within the authority may have conducted some of its business.

Almost a year on from Mr Bristow taking over, an update from CPA - seen by the Gazette - has been issued to some councillors following a meeting between the officer and authority members.

“The investigation is being progressed as quickly and professionally as possible,” the report states.

“There are, however, matters relating to both misconduct allegations and criminal conduct that still require a thorough investigation.

“The investigations into many of the aspects of alleged misconduct by senior police officers are virtually complete and it is intended that a report will be submitted to IPCC on these matters within two months.

“It will then be for the IPCC to consider the file and then send it to the police authority (hopefully within two weeks) to determine the course of action (within three weeks of receiving it).

“Based on these estimates - and they are only estimates - it would mean the authority will have considered the investigator’s report, in relation to any alleged misconduct of senior officers only, and determined a course of action by the end of June.”

No indication was given as to the timescale of the criminal strand of the investigation.

The report also reveals Sacristy is being conducted by 27 members of staff from North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Warwickshire. Twenty-three of the staff are detectives.

Up to the end of February, the inquiry had involved:

:: 715 named individuals;

:: 1,779 actions - such as interviews and visits;

:: 2,325 exhibits;

:: 4,963 documents - including 764 statements, 595 reports and 37 interviews.

The update states the cost of Sacristy for the current financial year is £1.47m.

It is predicted to hit £1.7m in 2012/13 - it remains “at current resource levels”.

“We are still waiting for a formal response from the Home Office to the authority’s application for a special grant, although indications are positive,” the update adds.

The report continues that, overall, the investigations deal with criminal offences, police misconduct matters and staff discipline issues.

“The matters under investigation are complex and extensive, some relate to matters that occurred several years ago, some more recent,” it continues.

“Some of those under investigation are very senior public figures and leaders, occupying influential positions with significant responsibilities and powers.

“There are very significant public interest issues involved.

“It is only right that such individuals are held to account to act professionally and in accordance with the law, the standards of professional behaviour and the Nolan principles of Public Life (a framework of expected standards).” It adds that the investigation’s leaders are “striving to minimise costs” and are aware of expectations to complete it “as quickly and as professionally as possible”.

“It is not viable or feasible, nor in the interests of justice to complete partial inquiries,” says the update.

TEESSIDE'S top two police officers are among those to have so far been arrested under Operation Sacristy.

Cleveland’s Chief Constable Sean Price was detained along with Deputy Chief Constable Derek Bonnard and former force solicitor Caroline Llewellyn in August as part of the investigation.

Mr Price and Mr Bonnard have been suspended from their jobs ever since. Both have consistently said they have done nothing wrong.

In November, Councillor Dave McLuckie, the former police authority chairman , was arrested. He too has denied any wrongdoing.

All are on bail until next month.

In a statement made a week after his arrest Mr Price said: “I wish to make it clear I am entirely innocent of any offences and am confident that this will be shown to be the case in due course.”

He said he had been deeply saddened at the way he had been treated and had answered every question during his time in custody.

Mr Price made clear at that time that he was looking forward to returning to lead “the best force in the country”.

Mr Bonnard, also issued a statement soon after his arrest in which he said he was innocent of all allegations. He voiced his belief he would be cleared in due course and spoke about his pride at serving with Cleveland Police.

He said he co-operated fully during his arrest and while held in custody for 30 hours.

Last May, the launch of Sacristy led to Cllr Dave McLuckie stepping down as Cleveland Police Authority’s chairman.

Cllr McLuckie, who was arrested in November, has denied any wrongdoing. He was suspended by the Labour Party and it resulted in him losing his Redcar and Cleveland Council cabinet seat.