Officers who investigated death of Riley Siswick to face gross misconduct proceedings

13 Sep 2019 09:23 AM

Three officers who initially investigated the murder of three-year-old Riley Siswick in Huddersfield will face allegations they committed gross misconduct.

West Yorkshire Police officers DCI Mark Swift, DI George Bardell and PC Oliver Scoones are alleged to have breached professional standards of behaviour which, if proven, could be considered serious enough to warrant dismissal.

They are scheduled to attend a misconduct hearing beginning 16 September 2019 following a 10 month investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Riley tragically died on 6 February 2016. The three officers were involved in investigating the circumstances of his death.

A referral was made to the IOPC in December 2016 by West Yorkshire Police in relation to the police investigation.

We launched an investigation which was competed in October 2017 when we concluded the three officers had a case to answer for gross misconduct.

West Yorkshire Police disagreed and in January 2018 we directed that a hearing take place. It will be for a panel to decide if the case against the officers is proven.

Following a fresh West Yorkshire Police investigation into Riley’s death, Kyle Campbell and Kayleigh Siswick were charged on November 2018.

On 13 June 2019 Mr Campbell was found guilty of murder and of causing or allowing the death of a child. He was given a life sentence with a minimum of 20 years.

Ms Siswick was found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

The three officers face allegations they failed to conduct a thorough investigation and prepared a report to a coroner that was incomplete or misleading.

DI Bardell and DCI Swift also face an allegation they failed to supervise an investigation appropriately and PC Scoones faces an allegation he attempted to influence a witness over the evidence they provided.

The allegations, if proven, could be seen as a breach of their duties and responsibilities and of conduct that could discredit the police service or undermine public confidence in policing.

There are two additional allegations against the officers that could be considered to be misconduct if proven, namely DCI Swift failed to follow correct policies and procedures and PC Scoones failed to properly co-operate with social services.