March 11, 2013 4.48 pm This story is over 132 months old

IPCC won’t investigate Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable allegations

No “serious corruption or misconduct”: The IPCC said it will not investigate further allegations into potential conduct matters of temporary Chief Constable Neil Rhodes.
Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Neil Rhodes. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it will not investigate further allegations into potential conduct matters of Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Neil Rhodes, as they do not amount to serious corruption or misconduct.

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick suspended Mr Rhodes at the end of February due to “potential conduct matters” and referred the matter to the IPCC. The specific allegations have not been detailed.

An IPCC spokesperson said on Monday: “The IPCC has now completed a detailed assessment of the referral of a potential conduct matter concerning the force’s temporary Chief Constable, Neil Rhodes.

“The outcome of the IPCC assessment is that we are satisfied the matter requires investigation but does not amount to serious corruption or misconduct which would merit an IPCC investigation.

“The decision to return this matter for local investigation has been communicated to the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner. It will now be for him to determine the way forward.

“The IPCC has advised that if further concerns come to light in the course of the investigation the matter should be re-referred to us,” the statement added.

Alan Hardwick, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire, said: “I welcome the determination made by the IPCC.

“The decision made by the IPCC not to carry out their own investigation is understandable and in line with previous determinations they have made on Chief Officer conduct matters.

“I will be conducting my own independent and rigorous local investigation into the potential conduct matters that were raised,” PCC Hardwick added.

Acting Chief Constable Alec Wood said in an interview last week he and the rest of the force did not know why Mr Rhodes had been suspended. Alec Wood will remain in his position until the matter is resolved.