WIREDGOV

A managed investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) into Essex Police’s north Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT) is now looking at 49 separate cases relating to the handling of child abuse inquiries reported between 2011 and 2015.

The IPCC has issued 25 notices to serving Essex Police officers and a further four notices have been issued to former Essex Police personnel who have either resigned or retired advising them they are being investigated.

IPCC investigators have now completed issuing the notices and have written to the victims, or their families, to update them of this development.

All of the officers being investigated are below ACPO rank. 

Twenty-two of the notices allege gross misconduct and seven relate to alleged misconduct matters. These include:

• failing to make reasonable enquiries and progress investigations;
• failing to address victim safeguarding; and
• concerns regarding honesty and integrity issues in relation to how some investigations were carried out.

Six of the officers are also being criminally investigated for alleged offences including misconduct in public office and perverting the course of justice.

Serving a police officer with a notice advises them their conduct is subject to investigation, it does not indicate or prejudge any outcome of the investigation.