An Essex Police officer has been dismissed after an independent panel found he breached the standards of professional behaviour when investigating three incidents of alleged child abuse.
This investigation formed part of our overarching inquiry which has been examining how Essex Police’s North Child Abuse Investigation Team (NCAIT) conducted investigations into allegations of child abuse reported between 2011 and 2014.
In 2014 we began our investigation in which a total 55 managed cases, carried out under our direction and control by Norfolk Constabulary, during which more than 160 witnesses gave statements, 25 officers were interviewed and in excess of 500 exhibits were catalogued.
Detective Constable Peter Wood, who was part of the NCAIT, was investigated for his handling of reported incidents of child abuse.
The managed investigation found that DC Wood failed to progress the investigations honestly and in a timely fashion and deliberately manipulated the process to enable cases to be closed with no further action taking place. His actions resulted in investigations being discontinued.
Our investigation found there was a case to answer in relation to breaches of the standards of professional behaviour. Essex Police agreed that the evidence indicated DC Wood had a case to answer for gross misconduct and scheduled a misconduct hearing. The panel found the case was proven against DC Wood in relation to honesty and integrity, duties and responsibilities and orders and instructions.
The evidence against DC Wood was also referred to the CPS who made the decision not to charge.
IOPC Regional Director Sarah Green said:
“There can be no excuse for deliberately failing to carry out an honest investigation and manipulating the process to enable cases alleging child abuse to be closed. These were serious failings by an officer entrusted to handle some of the most sensitive cases brought before him.
“The impact child abuse has on survivors’ lives cannot be underestimated which is why it is crucial those abused have the confidence that their allegations will be properly and thoroughly investigated.
“Officers are trusted to uphold professional standards of behaviour and a panel has ruled DC Wood fell short of the standard expected of him.
“Our investigation examined the conduct of officers before 2014. Anyone who may now be considering reporting abuse they have suffered to Essex Police ought to have confidence that they will be listened to. We have shared our findings with Essex Police and we will publish further details when all matters are complete.”
Nineteen officers [DC to DCI rank] had a case to answer for misconduct, eight of whom received management action by Essex Police, a further five former officers had a case to answer for misconduct, but faced no further action as they were no longer serving with Essex Police and six officers were found to have no case to answer for misconduct. Every effort has been made to notify the survivors involved in those cases.
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Disapplication means that a police force may handle a complaint in whatever way it thinks fit, including not dealing with it under complaints legislation. This may only happen in certain circumstances where the complaint fits one or more of the grounds for disapplication set out in law.
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You can request a review/appeal if you’re not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled.
You can request a review/appeal if you’re not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled.
