Two Essex Police officers have been convicted of falsifying a document purportedly from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), manipulating CPS advice on their systems and destroying exhibits during child abuse investigations.
Following a trial at the Old Bailey, a serving Essex Police detective constable (DC) and a former DC were convicted each of misconduct in public office, following a large scale investigation directed, and controlled, by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
DC Sharon Patterson, 49, and former DC Lee Pollard, 47, previously worked in the North Child Abuse Investigation Team (NCAIT) and denied the charges against them.
IOPC Regional Director, Sarah Green said: “It is inexcusable for any officer to deliberately fail in their duties, it feels particularly reprehensible for officers attached to a child abuse investigation team to behave in a manner that risked allowing child abusers to go unpunished.
“Survivors of child abuse must have confidence in their police force and feel secure that their allegations will be properly and thoroughly handled.”
DC Patterson was convicted of falsifying a document relating to CPS charging advice. She was cleared of allegations she misled senior officers about evidence provided by a witness.
Former DC Pollard was convicted of destroying evidence, in the form of indecent images, and falsifying information on Essex Police systems relating to CPS charging advice.
The IOPC investigation into NCAIT
The IOPC launched its investigation in 2014 following a referral from Essex Police after an internal review identified potential failings within the NCAIT.
We investigated how the NCAIT conducted 55 investigations into allegations of child abuse reported between 2011 and 2014. The investigation was carried out by Norfolk and Suffolk’s joint professional standards department under our direction and control.
As part of the investigation more than 160 witnesses gave statements, 25 officers were interviewed, and more than 500 exhibits were catalogued. Every effort was made to notify the survivors involved in each of these cases.
In addition to the criminal trial of Patterson and Pollard a third DC was dismissed in October 2018 for breaching the standards of professional behaviour.
DC Peter Wood was dismissed after he failed to progress three investigations of child abuse honestly and in a timely fashion and deliberately manipulated the process to close cases with no further action.
As part of our investigation into NCAIT, 25 serving Essex officers were issued with notices and five retired officers were informed their actions were under investigation. The 30 officers ranged in rank from DC to detective chief inspector.
Of the 30 officers:
- Eight received management action by Essex Police;
- Seven had no case to answer;
- five former officers had a case to answer for misconduct, but faced no further action as they were no longer serving with Essex Police;
- three cases were proven at a misconduct hearing but received no action;
- two officers received no action as they had left the force;
- two cases were not proven following misconduct meetings;
- two officers, DC Pollard and former DC Patterson, were convicted at trial; and
- one officer, DC Wood, was dismissed.
Through our thorough analysis of how the NCAIT operated, we identified a number areas of learning for Essex Police.
We found that historically, officers were taking a narrow approach to safeguarding. For example, in one investigation, safeguarding was considered to be fulfilled as the suspect no longer had access to the victim rather than officers considering what access the suspect had to other children.
As a result we suggested the force would benefit from the introduction of a multi-agency safeguarding hub - the benefits of which have been proven in other forces.
Areas where we recommended improvements include:
- safeguarding;
- compulsory counselling;
- robust review procedures;
- rigorous documentation recording process;
- appropriate staffing levels; and
- adherence to appropriate policies and procedures including the Victims Charter as supervisors were able to adjust the frequency with which a victim or witness was contacted. We encouraged Essex Police to check their policies and processes to ensure they comply with national policy.
IOPC Regional Director, Sarah Green, added: “This has been a complex and in-depth investigation into some of the most sensitive cases a police force can be expected to handle. I would like to thank the survivors who have shown bravery and determination in assisting us during our investigation.
“Stress and sickness were a problem in the team. Working within a child abuse investigation team is not an easy area of policing and we do not underestimate the impact it has on those officers. They see, hear and are told things which are beyond our worst nightmares. As such, we recommended to Essex Police that they ought to consider compulsory counselling for officers attached to child abuse investigation teams rather than rely on a questionnaire system they had in place.”
An act of parliament that provides the core framework of police powers to combat crime and provide codes of practice for the exercise of these powers.
Leads and manages the development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The body that represents the interests of all police constables, sergeants, and inspectors.
Deals with someone’s inability or failure to perform to a satisfactory level, but without breaching the Standards of Professional Behaviour.
Focuses on putting an issue right and preventing it from happening again by encouraging those involved to reflect on their actions and learn. It is not a disciplinary process or a disciplinary outcome.
Department within a police force that deals with complaints and conduct matters.
Refers to lower-level misconduct or performance-related issues, which are dealt with in a proportionate and constructive manner.
This means doing what is appropriate in the circumstances, taking into account the facts and the context in which the complaint has been raised, within the framework of legislation and guidance.
The average is calculated using the individual results of the forces in that most similar force group.
An investigation carried out by IOPC staff.
Carried out by the police under their own direction and control. The IOPC sets the terms of reference and receives the investigation report when it is complete. Complainants have a right of appeal following a supervised investigation (unless it is an investigation into a direction and control matter).
This act sets out how the police complaints system operates.
How a police force is run, for example policing standards or policing policy.
An investigation carried out by the police under the direction and control of the IOPC.
The organisation that is responsible for assessing how to deal with a complaint. For example – whether it can be handled locally or reaches the criteria for referral to the IOPC. The appropriate authority may be the chief officer of the police force or the PCC for the force. If a complaint investigation finds that someone has a case to answer for misconduct, the appropriate authority is responsible for arranging any misconduct proceedings. If you make a complaint, the appropriate authority for your case will contact you.
An intelligence-led agency with law enforcement powers, it is also responsible for reducing the harm that is caused to people and communities by serious organised crime.
Policing bodies include police and crime commissioners, the Common Council for the City of London, or the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime.
Investigations carried out entirely by the police. Complainants have a right of appeal following a local investigation (unless it is an investigation into a direction and control matter).
IOPC guidance to the police service and police authorities on the handling of complaints.
A complaint or recordable conduct matter that doesn’t need to be referred to the IOPC, but where the seriousness or circumstances justifies referral.
Parameters within which an investigation is conducted.
A person is adversely affected if he or she suffers any form of loss or damage, distress or inconvenience, if he or she is put in danger or is otherwise unduly put at risk of being adversely affected.
This is where a manager deals with the way someone has behaved. It can include: showing the police officer or member of staff how their behaviour fell short of expectations set out in the Standards of Professional Behaviour; identifying expectations for future conduct; or addressing any underlying causes of misconduct.
This could be the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Common Council for the City of London, or the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime.
A flexible process for dealing with complaints that can be adapted to the needs of the complainant. It may involve, for example, providing information and an explanation, an apology, or a meeting between the complainant and the officer involved.
A flexible process for dealing with complaints that can be adapted to the needs of the complainant. It may involve, for example, providing information and an explanation, an apology, or a meeting between the complainant and the officer involved.
A breach of standards of professional behaviour by police officers or staff so serious it could justify their dismissal.
A matter where no complaint has been received, but where there is an indication that a person serving with the police may have committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner that would justify disciplinary proceedings.
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.
The ending of an ongoing investigation into a complaint, conduct matter or DSI matter. An investigation may only be discontinued if it meets one or more of the grounds for discontinuance set out in law.
Quarter 1 covers 1 April - 30 June
Quarter 2 covers 1 April - 30 September
Quarter 3 covers 1 April - 31 December
Quarter 4 covers the full financial year (1 April - 31 March).
You can request a review/appeal if you’re not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled.
Used to house anyone who has been detained.
Complainants have the right to appeal to the IOPC if a police force did not record their complaint or notify the correct police force if it was made originally to the wrong force.
The purpose of an investigation is to establish the facts behind a complaint, conduct matter, or DSI matter and reach conclusions. An investigator looks into matters and produces a report that sets out and analyses the evidence. There are three types of investigations: local, directed and independent.
The ending of an ongoing investigation into a complaint, conduct matter or DSI matter. An investigation may only be discontinued if it meets one or more of the grounds for discontinuance set out in law.
The type of behaviour being complained about. A single complaint case can have one or many allegations attached.
A person who makes a complaint about the conduct of someone serving with the police.
The ending of an ongoing investigation into a complaint, conduct matter or DSI matter. An investigation may only be discontinued if it meets one or more of the grounds for discontinuance set out in law.
List of officers and staff who have been dismissed from policing, or would have been if they had not retired or resigned.
The type of behaviour being complained about. A single complaint case can have one or many allegations attached.
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.
An independent judicial officer, the coroner enquires into deaths reported to him/her.
A breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour that would justify at least a written warning.
No further action may be taken with regard to a complaint if the complainant decides to retract their allegation(s).
A record is made of a complaint, giving it formal status as a complaint under the Police Reform Act 2002.
This is a format where information is written in plain English and short sentences.
The IOPC must be notified about specific types of complaint or incidents to be able to decide how they should be dealt with.
No further action may be taken with regard to a complaint if the complainant decides to retract their allegation(s).
Casework involves assessing appeals. Casework staff also have a role in overseeing the police complaints system to help ensure police forces handle complaints in the best possible way.
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.
Conduct includes acts, omissions, statements and decisions (whether actual, alleged or inferred). For example: language used and the manner or tone of communications.
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.
