IPCC investigation a clear outcome or still obscure?

Wiltshire’s former chief constable Patrick Geenty has begun his retirement despite facing a potential case for misconduct.

The decision by Wiltshire Police Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson not to suspend him paved the way for the departure.

The former police boss had reacted with “shock” when it was first alleged that he had mishandled a complaint of sexual abuse.

He said the Independent Police Complaints Commission decision to investigate was the right way forward. “I welcome an open and transparent investigation and the public deserve no less.”

However the IPCC finding last week was that while he might have a misconduct case to answer the evidence did not amount to a potential case of gross misconduct (a more serious matter that could result in dismissal).

On receiving this information Mr Macpherson, who draws a £70,000 per annum salary for his role, was swift in coming to the conclusion that he could leave the force saying: “It is not my intention to prevent Mr Geenty from retiring.

“There is no legal ground to do so, nor do I believe it is in the public interest to suspend him.”

He said he still needed to read the full IPCC report, but was reassured by Mr Geenty’s commitment to respond to any issues that arise if it is considered that there is a case to answer.

For the complainant, whoever it is, this may be an unsatisfactory conclusion. And the transparent investigation that “the public deserve” is still more than a little obscure.