Independent Police Complaints Commission
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Statement in response to the MPS accepting that an officer involved in the Sean Rigg investigation could leave the force
On 19 May 2014 the IPCC was notified by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) that a police officer involved in the arrest, restraint and detention of Sean Rigg, is leaving the force with effect from 1 June.
Solicitors acting for the Rigg family have notified the IPCC that a pre-action letter was served on the MPS on 28 May 2014 in respect of the officer’s departure and the MPS decision to accept this.
IPCC Commissioner Mary Cunneen said:
“I am extremely disappointed that the Metropolitan Police Service did not notify the IPCC at the earliest opportunity that this officer was intending to leave the force with its approval. This information was only received by the IPCC on the 19 May, and only then in response to a direct request for information about the status of the officers.
“I have today written to the MPS to invite them, given the clear public interest in this case, to consider suspending the officer ahead of his departure taking effect and to then go on to refuse to allow him to leave. The decision whether to suspend an officer, and whether to allow them to leave the force is one for the MPS, not the IPCC.
“While the IPCC cannot prevent an officer leaving a force, we believe that it is unacceptable that officers can be allowed to do so and avoid the possibility of facing disciplinary proceedings.”
IPCC investigators continue to seek to serve a notice of investigation on the officer, and are making arrangements to serve notices on other officers involved in the arrest, restraint and detention of Mr Rigg.
This process had been delayed due to matters before the Administrative Court.
