WIREDGOV

Independent Police Complaints Commission Cindy Butts has issued the following statement following Wednesday’s announcement by the Crown Prosecution Service that they would be taking no further action in relation to the Operation Sacristy investigation being led by Keith Bristow, Director General of the National Crime Agency.

“The decision by the Crown Prosecution Service not to bring charges following the Operation Sacristy criminal investigation brings a sorry chapter in the history of Cleveland Police to an end.

“It allows the Independent Police Complaints Commission to finally publish the reports from its various misconduct investigations into senior officers at the force and their associates.

“The IPCC independently investigated an allegation that Sean Price had assisted in getting a job for a friend’s daughter. While a misconduct panel found that Mr Price had not directed a job be found, it was proven that he had lied to the IPCC and put pressure on his assistant to lie on his behalf. He was dismissed for gross misconduct. This was the first time a Chief Constable had been dismissed in this way for a generation. But that matter proved to be the tip of the iceberg.

“We also managed the element of Operation Sacristy which examined allegations of misconduct against Mr Price and his deputy Derek Bonnard. We agreed with the Operation Sacristy team that it was entirely appropriate to proceed with misconduct matters prior to finalisation of the criminal matters.

This investigation resulted in the dismissal of Mr Bonnard and I want to praise the investigation team led by Keith Bristow, Director General of the National Crime Agency, for their meticulous and unwavering pursuit of the truth.

“This investigation exposed a culture at the top of Cleveland Police which was reminiscent of a medieval fiefdom. Senior officers sought to gain personal benefit from the public purse, showing a complete disregard for the public they had been appointed to serve.

“The fact Mr Price and Mr Bonnard are no longer serving police officers shows the worth of the investigations that have been carried out. Their shameful behaviour has damaged the reputation of Cleveland Police and the police service generally.

“Another officer, Detective Inspector Eastwood chose to resign before facing her hearing for gross misconduct. I am disappointed this was allowed to happen as I believe it benefits openness and transparency and public confidence in the complaints system to see officers face up to the case against them.

“Police officers – and in particular senior police officers – have an obligation to maintain the highest standards of integrity and set the example for officers who serve under them to follow. These officers showed a complete disregard for this and instead sought to further their own selfish agendas. The investigative work by the IPCC and Operation Sacristy has put an end to that.

“It is time now for Cleveland Police and the police service as a whole to learn the lessons from this sorry saga - to remember that policing is done with the consent of the public and that this can only happen if there is confidence in all aspects of the police service.”

CLICK HERE to access the investigation reports