Police chief to be investigated over misconduct allegation

Last month, the Sussex Police Authority voluntarily referred the allegation against Sussex Police Chief Constable Martin Richards to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which is now carrying out an independent investigation.

Because of the seniority of the office of Chief Constable, Sussex Police says it believes it is ‘paramount that any allegations about the Chief are subject to the independent scrutiny of the IPCC in order to maintain the public’s confidence in the outcome of any investigation’.

Chief Constable Martin Richards said: “Given the senior position I hold and the trust placed in me by the people of Sussex and my colleagues, it is absolutely right that the Sussex Police Authority has voluntarily referred this matter to the IPCC for independent scrutiny.

“I will cooperate fully with the investigation to help them establish the facts.

“With trust in the police at the forefront of ongoing legitimate public interest nationally, I am mindful of the need to conduct my duties with the utmost integrity and an expectation of scrutiny.

“This is a view shared across the Force and we have recently updated all our policies in this area to underline this commitment.

“While the IPCC investigation is ongoing it will be ‘business as usual’.

“There will be no impact on the service provided to the public or the delivery of operational policing, which is our foremost priority.”

Sussex Police has refused to comment on the nature of the allegation.