Police chief suspended for gross misconduct ‘failed to investigate senior colleague’

Thames Valley: So, the Chief Constable, Jason Hogg, has been suspended. It’s all about claims that he didn’t properly investigate a senior colleague. Not a great look, right?

Apparently, there were allegations that a former senior officer held onto sensitive info after retiring. That’s a big deal! Hogg got the boot immediately while the police watchdog looks into it.

Good news, though—no criminal offenses were found against him, according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). But they’re still digging into the whole situation.

They mentioned that a separate probe into the former officer about the sensitive info is wrapped up. They even sent evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service back in December to see if any laws were broken.

Steve Noonan from the IOPC confirmed they’re looking into Hogg’s conduct. They started this investigation back in April 2023, and it’s serious stuff—potential gross misconduct is on the table.

And it’s not just Hogg; another senior officer from Thames Valley is also under the microscope for possible misconduct. This is getting intense!

Hogg only took the Chief Constable role in April 2023, so this is quite the shocker for everyone involved. Matthew Barber, the police and crime commissioner, stressed that the suspension doesn’t mean he’s guilty of anything.

He said it’s crucial to handle these serious allegations properly. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Constable Ben Snuggs will step in to handle Hogg’s duties until they find a temporary replacement.

Snuggs reassured everyone that Thames Valley Police will keep serving the community as usual. They’re committed to tackling crime and building trust, which is good to hear.

As for the investigation, Thames Valley Police said they can’t comment further for now. Let’s see how this unfolds!