By Lucy Caulkett-
Three West Yorkshire Police (WYP) officers who investigated the death of three-year-old Riley Siswick in Huddersfield are due to face allegations of gross misconduct.
WYP officers DCI Mark Swift, DI George Bardell and PC Oliver Scoones are alleged to have breached professional standards of behaviour . DI Bardell and DCI Swift also face an allegation for failing to supervise an investigation appropriately. PC Scoones is accused of attempting to influence a witness over the evidence they provided.
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Additional charges against two of the officers further complicates their fate. DCI Swift failed to follow correct policies and procedures and PC Scoones failed to properly co-operate with social services.
If upheld, the allegations would amount to a breach of their duties and responsibilities, and of conduct capable of discrediting the police service, or undermining public confidence in policing.
A misconduct hearing due to commence on Monday May 18 follows a 10 month investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
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The hearing originally began in September 2019 but was adjourned to March 2020 when it was further postponed because of the Covid-19 restrictions.
Referral
A mandatory referral was made to the IOPC in December 2016 by West Yorkshire Police in relation to the police investigation involving three officers investigating the circumstances of his death
The police regulator launched an investigation which was completed in October 2017, concluding the three officers to have a case to answer for gross misconduct.
West Yorkshire Police disputed the judgement and, in January 2018, the IOPC directed a hearing to take place.
After additional information was obtained, a fresh West Yorkshire Police investigation was carried out into Riley’s death, Kyle Campbell and Kayleigh Siswick were charged in 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 sentenced to life imprisonment 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 wasn’t thorough enough.
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