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In Reading, concerns have been raised about how police officers and staff are being scrutinized amid allegations surrounding an alleged pedophile group within the Metropolitan Police.
The issue was raised by Councilor Simon Robinson (Conservative, Emmer Green) when senior Thames Valley Police officers made their annual presentation to Reading City Council’s Policy Committee.
Cllr Robinson expressed concern about the police review following the criminal acts of Met officers David Carrick and Wayne Couzens.
David Carrick pleaded guilty to 28 counts in a string of 49 total rape charges and is set to go to trial next month. Wayne Cousins kidnapped and raped Sarah Everard on March 4, 2021. is serving a life sentence for murder.
Cllr Robinson also noted another investigation into an alleged pedophile ring linked to three police officers within the London Metropolitan Police.
Two former Metropolitan Police Department lieutenants have been charged with child sex crimes and charged as part of an investigation into a Metropolitan lieutenant who was found dead before being charged.
Richard Watkinson, 49, was found dead in Princess Lisborough, Buckinghamshire on Thursday 12th January. On the same day, he was scheduled to be charged with conspiracy to distribute or display obscene images of children. Childhood, voyeurism, and two misconducts in public office.
Jack Addis, 63, without permanent residence, and Jeremy Ruxton, 62, from Lincolnshire, will appear in Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday 9 February.
Addis was charged with conspiracy to distribute or display indecent images of children. He was arrested in November 2021.
Ruxton is guilty of conspiring to distribute or display obscene images of children, making obscene photos of children, possessing prohibited images of children, possessing extreme pornographic images, and knowingly encouraging or supporting crimes. (misconduct in public office). He was arrested in September 2021.
They both left the military over ten years ago.
Cllr Robinson asked what steps the Thames Valley Police have in place to ensure that employees are properly scrutinized in light of recent incidents across the country.
he said:
“This is a big wake-up call for many sergeants across the UK.
“Is there anything you are doing within the Thames Valley in terms of the review process or any additional steps to consider such things?
“It’s important to put trust and confidence back in the police, and I think this is the key to moving forward.”
Chief Constable John Campbell of the Thames Valley Police said, “The first thing we do is recruit well in terms of people joining the police force.”
He noted that the Thames Valley Police are becoming increasingly diverse, with 594 recruits in 2022 being women and 147 coming from black, mixed Asian or other ethnic backgrounds.
CC Campbell said: Second, there is a practical process of screening, so officers and staff are screened to a certain level.
“The level remains the same”
But vetting is regularly reviewed, and police foster a culture of whistleblowing to expose wrongdoing, he said.
CC Campbell adds: That. ”
It also has a secret hotline, standards department, and anti-corruption department to support such efforts within the military.
CC Campbell said employees will be fired if they fall short and Thames Valley Police are obliged to publicize misconduct hearings.
This question was answered at the Policy Board meeting on Monday, January 23rd.
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