WIREDGOV

British Transport Police (BTP) has referred the conduct of a senior civilian staff member to the IOPC regarding allegations of fraud and data protection act offences linked to a recruitment process.

It also referred the conduct of four officers who were responsible for reviewing that recruitment process when it became clear there may be irregularities involved and a fifth officer for their actions during that review.
The allegations relate to a period between May 2017 and June 2018.

The civilian staff member has been advised they are to be criminally interviewed about the allegations and three of the five officers will be criminally interviewed for the offence of misconduct in public office.

The three officers are being investigated for breaches of police professional standards which may amount to gross misconduct and the civilian staff member has also been formally notified they are under investigation at a gross misconduct level.

We will continue to review the status of the other two officers while the investigation is ongoing.

Deputy Director of Major Investigations, Steve Noonan yesterday said:

“We know it is important to the public as well as the policing community that allegations of this nature are vigorously and independently investigated in order to maintain confidence in those who work in policing. Our investigation is progressing well and we are receiving the full cooperation of the force.

“It is important to note that a criminal investigation does not necessarily mean that criminal charges will follow. A decision as to whether or not to refer the matter to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider criminal charges will be made once the investigation is complete and we have analysed all of the evidence.”