The suspension of Thames Valley Police chief has sparked serious concerns, prompting an investigation into alleged misconduct and its implications for the community.
Aylesbury: So, here’s the scoop. Mr. Barber, the police and crime commissioner, had to suspend Mr. Hogg, the chief constable, last week. It was a tough call, but he felt it was necessary to let the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) do its thing.
The IOPC is looking into some serious claims. Apparently, between 2016 and 2020, Mr. Hogg and another officer didn’t properly check out allegations that a former senior officer kept sensitive police info after leaving. Yikes!
Now, the IOPC hasn’t found any criminal offenses yet, but they’re still digging. They started this investigation back in April 2023, and it’s not clear if any disciplinary actions will follow.
During a recent meeting, Mr. Barber shared how this suspension is affecting everyone involved. He mentioned that the IOPC had a “severity assessment” about Mr. Hogg’s actions, which could lead to gross misconduct if proven.
Mr. Barber said he had no choice but to suspend Mr. Hogg right away. He’s also pushing the IOPC to wrap up their investigation quickly because this situation is pretty unsettling for Thames Valley Police and the public.
He reassured everyone that the suspension is just a neutral step while the investigation is ongoing. In the meantime, Deputy Chief Constable Ben Snuggs is stepping in to handle Mr. Hogg’s duties until they find a temporary replacement.
Mr. Barber is actively looking for someone to fill that role and is getting legal advice on how to proceed. He was re-elected last May, representing the Conservative Party, and his job is to keep Thames Valley Police accountable.
Just a heads up, Thames Valley Police is a big deal. It’s the largest non-metropolitan force in England and Wales, serving over 2.34 million people across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire.
