Independent Police Complaints Commission
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IPCC investigates West Midlands Police handling of allegations against former officer

Former West Midlands Police constable Allan Richards was today found guilty by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court of nine counts of indecent assault against boys between 1982 and 2003. At a previous trial in June this year Richards, aged 54, had been convicted of 31 offences against boys including rape, misconduct in a public office, sexual activity with a child, gross indecency and voyeurism committed between 1976 and 2014. He will be sentenced on November 4.

IPCC Commissioner Derrick Campbell said: “We are carrying out a thorough, independent investigation into West Midlands Police's handling of the allegations made against Allan Richards while he was a serving police officer.

"The scale of Richards’ offending is truly shocking. The fact that he was able to abuse his position of authority and trust as a police officer while committing many of his crimes is of great concern.

“Richards’ victims have shown considerable courage in coming forward to expose his crimes and hopefully will take some solace from seeing him finally brought to justice.

“His victims will not be alone in wanting to know if opportunities were missed, and our independent investigation will examine whether more could have been done by the force to uncover his activities sooner.

"We will also seek to establish what lessons can be learned.”

The IPCC determined an independent investigation should take place following a referral from West Midlands Police in May 2015.

The investigation was suspended pending the conclusion of the criminal case against Richards.

 

Channel website: https://policeconduct.gov.uk/

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