WIREDGOV

An Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation into allegations that two former City of London senior police officers inappropriately disclosed information to a newspaper journalist has found that the two officers would have had a case to answer for gross misconduct for inappropriate disclosure of information, if they were still serving.

The information was about a sensitive criminal investigation involving other agencies as well as City of London Police.

The IPCC sent its investigation report to City of London Police and the Crown Prosecution Service in September 2014. City of London Police reached their own determination, based on the evidence, that the former officers would have had a case to answer for gross misconduct. As the officers have retired, no disciplinary proceedings can take place.

Following investigative advice from the CPS, the IPCC withdrew its referral to the CPS on the basis that there was insufficient evidence to indicate that a criminal offence had been committed. The investigation found no evidence of any payment being made to either officer.

The IPCC investigation recognised that major investigations require a media strategy, which may include proactive briefing of journalists. In itself this is not necessarily inappropriate. However, evidence gathered through the IPCC investigation suggests that in this case one senior City of London officer made inappropriate disclosures of information to the same journalist on five occasions between November 2007 and July 2010.

The investigation found evidence suggesting that another officer, of superintendent rank, made inappropriate disclosures of information to the same journalist on two occasions, in October 2009 and November 2010. Both officers may also have breached force policy by not recording a number of meetings and contacts with the journalist, and not keeping adequate records around the decision-making for briefing reporters.

Both former officers have been advised of the IPCC findings.