Cymraeg isod
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) had decided to independently investigate the conduct of several serving Gwent Police officers over allegations of sharing offensive messages.
The decision follows careful assessment of referrals and accompanying information from Gwent Police received both this week and last week, after details of messages on the phone of a now deceased police officer were published in a national newspaper on 13 November. The messages publicised are of a racist, misogynistic and homophobic nature and some alluded to potential corruption.
We have requested further information from Gwent Police in relation to the alleged involvement of former officers in the sharing of messages, and we will make a decision on whether they fall within the IOPC’s jurisdiction and therefore if we are legally permitted to include them in the investigation in due course.
We have also considered referrals from Gwent Police and Wiltshire Police setting out a series of complaints from the family of former Police Sergeant Ricky Jones related to the force’s handling of its investigation into his death and officers’ contact with his relatives.
We have decided these matters can continue to be investigated by a separate force, Wiltshire Police. The family will have a right of review to the IOPC if they are not satisfied with the findings and outcome of that investigation. Aspects of the family’s complaints that relate to the offensive phone messages discovered will be incorporated into the IOPC’s independent conduct investigation.
As part of our investigation, we will consider whether conduct allegations concerning the phone messages should have been referred to the IOPC earlier.
IOPC Director for Wales, Catrin Evans, said: “I recognise that many people will find the messages aired in the public domain, apparently shared among police officers, highly disturbing.
“After publication of the national newspaper article, we formally wrote to the Chief Constable of Gwent Police requesting they provide us with information to establish the chain of events and decisions taken in relation to the family’s complaints, and any conduct matters. We had not previously received a referral from the force on any of these matters.
“On the basis of our assessment of the conduct referrals received so far, we have decided that an independent investigation is essential to maintain public confidence. We will be investigating the alleged involvement of a number of serving Gwent Police officers in sharing offensive messages. We will keep the involvement of any further serving and former officers under review as more information comes to light. We will need to progress a full download of data from the phone of Mr Ricky Jones. I would ask for patience while we undertake our enquiries as swiftly and thoroughly as possible.”
We received a referral from Gwent Police on 15 November concerning the family’s complaint and received three conduct referrals, on 18, 19 and 23 November, relating to several serving and former officers identified as being involved in the phone messages.
IOPC i ymchwilio i swyddogion Heddlu Gwent dros rannu honiadau am negeseuon tramgwyddus
Roedd y Swyddfa Annibynnol ar gyfer Ymddygiad yr Heddlu wedi penderfynu i ymchwilio'n annibynnol i ymddygiad sawl swyddog oedd yn gwasanaethu Heddlu Gwent dros honiadau o rannu negeseuon tramgwyddus.
Mae'r penderfyniad yn dilyn asesiadau gofalus o atgyfeiriadau a gwybodaeth gysylltiedig gan Heddlu Gwent a dderbyniwyd yr wythnos hon yn ogystal â'r wythnos ddiwethaf, ar ôl i fanylion o negeseuon ar ffôn swyddog heddlu sydd nawr weddi marw gael eu cyhoeddi ar 13 Tachwedd. Mae'r negeseuon a gyhoeddwyd o natur hiliol, gwreig-gasaol a homoffobig a chyfeiriodd rhai at lygredigaeth posibl.
Rydym wedi gofyn am ragor o wybodaeth gan Heddlu Gwent mewn perthynas â rhan honedig cyn-swyddogion mewn rhannu'r negeseuon, a byddwn yn gwneud penderfyniad os ydynt yn syrthio o fewn awdurdodaeth yr IOPC ac felly os caniateir i ni eu cynnwys yn gyfreithiol yn yr ymchwiliad yn y man.
Rydym hefyd wedi ystyried atgyfeiriadau gan Heddlu Gwent a Heddlu Wiltshire yn amlinellu cyfres o gwynion gan deulu'r cyn-Sarsiant Heddlu Ricky Jones yn ymwneud â thriniaeth y llu o'i ymchwiliad i'w farwolaeth a chysylltiad swyddogion â'i berthnasau.
Rydym wedi penderfynu bod y materion hyn yn gallu parhau i gael eu hymchwilio gan lu ar wahân, Heddlu Wiltshire. Bydd gan y teulu yr hawl i adolygiad i'r IOPC os nad ydynt yn fodlon â'r canfyddiadau a'r canlyniad o'r ymchwiliad hwnnw. Bydd agweddau o gwynion y teulu sy'n ymwneud â'r negeseuon ffôn tramgwyddus yn cael eu hymgorffori i ymchwiliad ymddygiad annibynnol yr IOPC.
Fel rhan o'n hymchwiliad, byddwn yn ystyried os dylai honiadau am ymddygiad ynghylch y negeseuon ffôn fod wedi cael eu hatgyfeirio ar yr IOPC yn gynharach.
Dywedodd Cyfarwyddwr IOPC Cymru, Catrin Evans: "Rwy'n cydnabod y bydd llawer o bobl yn canfod y negeseuon sydd wedi'u mynegi yn gyhoeddus, sy'n ymddangos eu bod wedi'u rhannu gan swyddogion heddlu, yn peri pryder mawr.
"Ar ôl cyhoeddi'r erthygl mewn papur newydd cenedlaethol, fe wnaethom ysgrifennu'n ffurfiol at Brif Gwnstabl Gwent yn gofyn iddynt ddarparu gwybodaeth i ni i sefydlu'r gadwyn ddigwyddiadau a'r penderfyniadau a gymerwyd mewn perthynas â chwynion y teulu, ac unrhyw faterion ymddygiad. Nid oeddem wedi derbyn atgyfeiriad o'r blaen gan y llu ar unrhyw un o'r materion hyn.
"Ar sail ein hasesiad o'r atgyfeiriadau ymddygiad a dderbyniwyd hyd yn hyn, rydym wedi penderfynu bod ymchwiliad annibynnol yn hanfodol i gynnal hyder y cyhoedd. Byddwn yn ymchwilio i gyfranogaeth honedig nifer o swyddogion Heddlu Gwent sy'n gwasanaethu mewn rhannu negeseuon tramgwyddus. Byddwn yn cadw cyfranogaeth unrhyw swyddogion eraill sy'n gwasanaethu a chyn-swyddogion o dan adolygiad wrth i ragor o wybodaeth ddod i'r amlwg. Bydd angen i ni ddatblygu lawrlwythiad llawn o ddata o ffôn Mr Ricky Jones. Rwy'n gofyn am amynedd wrth i ni ymgymryd â'n hymholiadau mor gyflym a thrwyadl â phosibl."
Fe wnaethom dderbyn atgyfeiriad gan Heddlu Gwent ar 15 Tachwedd ynghylch cwyn y teulu ac fe wnaethom dderbyn tri atgyfeiriad am ymddygiad, ar 18, 19 a 23 Tachwedd, yn ymwneud â sawl swyddog sy'n gwasanaethu a chyn-swyddogion a gafodd eu hadnabod yn rhan o'r negeseuon ffôn.
An act of parliament that provides the core framework of police powers to combat crime and provide codes of practice for the exercise of these powers.
Leads and manages the development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The body that represents the interests of all police constables, sergeants, and inspectors.
Deals with someone’s inability or failure to perform to a satisfactory level, but without breaching the Standards of Professional Behaviour.
Focuses on putting an issue right and preventing it from happening again by encouraging those involved to reflect on their actions and learn. It is not a disciplinary process or a disciplinary outcome.
Department within a police force that deals with complaints and conduct matters.
Refers to lower-level misconduct or performance-related issues, which are dealt with in a proportionate and constructive manner.
This means doing what is appropriate in the circumstances, taking into account the facts and the context in which the complaint has been raised, within the framework of legislation and guidance.
The average is calculated using the individual results of the forces in that most similar force group.
An investigation carried out by IOPC staff.
Carried out by the police under their own direction and control. The IOPC sets the terms of reference and receives the investigation report when it is complete. Complainants have a right of appeal following a supervised investigation (unless it is an investigation into a direction and control matter).
This act sets out how the police complaints system operates.
How a police force is run, for example policing standards or policing policy.
An investigation carried out by the police under the direction and control of the IOPC.
The organisation that is responsible for assessing how to deal with a complaint. For example – whether it can be handled locally or reaches the criteria for referral to the IOPC. The appropriate authority may be the chief officer of the police force or the PCC for the force. If a complaint investigation finds that someone has a case to answer for misconduct, the appropriate authority is responsible for arranging any misconduct proceedings. If you make a complaint, the appropriate authority for your case will contact you.
An intelligence-led agency with law enforcement powers, it is also responsible for reducing the harm that is caused to people and communities by serious organised crime.
Policing bodies include police and crime commissioners, the Common Council for the City of London, or the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime.
Investigations carried out entirely by the police. Complainants have a right of appeal following a local investigation (unless it is an investigation into a direction and control matter).
IOPC guidance to the police service and police authorities on the handling of complaints.
A complaint or recordable conduct matter that doesn’t need to be referred to the IOPC, but where the seriousness or circumstances justifies referral.
Parameters within which an investigation is conducted.
A person is adversely affected if he or she suffers any form of loss or damage, distress or inconvenience, if he or she is put in danger or is otherwise unduly put at risk of being adversely affected.
This is where a manager deals with the way someone has behaved. It can include: showing the police officer or member of staff how their behaviour fell short of expectations set out in the Standards of Professional Behaviour; identifying expectations for future conduct; or addressing any underlying causes of misconduct.
This could be the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Common Council for the City of London, or the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime.
A flexible process for dealing with complaints that can be adapted to the needs of the complainant. It may involve, for example, providing information and an explanation, an apology, or a meeting between the complainant and the officer involved.
A flexible process for dealing with complaints that can be adapted to the needs of the complainant. It may involve, for example, providing information and an explanation, an apology, or a meeting between the complainant and the officer involved.
A breach of standards of professional behaviour by police officers or staff so serious it could justify their dismissal.
A matter where no complaint has been received, but where there is an indication that a person serving with the police may have committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner that would justify disciplinary proceedings.
Disapplication means that a police force may handle a complaint in whatever way it thinks fit, including not dealing with it under complaints legislation. This may only happen in certain circumstances where the complaint fits one or more of the grounds for disapplication set out in law.
The ending of an ongoing investigation into a complaint, conduct matter or DSI matter. An investigation may only be discontinued if it meets one or more of the grounds for discontinuance set out in law.
Quarter 1 covers 1 April - 30 June
Quarter 2 covers 1 April - 30 September
Quarter 3 covers 1 April - 31 December
Quarter 4 covers the full financial year (1 April - 31 March).
You can request a review/appeal if you’re not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled.
Used to house anyone who has been detained.
Complainants have the right to appeal to the IOPC if a police force did not record their complaint or notify the correct police force if it was made originally to the wrong force.
The purpose of an investigation is to establish the facts behind a complaint, conduct matter, or DSI matter and reach conclusions. An investigator looks into matters and produces a report that sets out and analyses the evidence. There are three types of investigations: local, directed and independent.
The ending of an ongoing investigation into a complaint, conduct matter or DSI matter. An investigation may only be discontinued if it meets one or more of the grounds for discontinuance set out in law.
The type of behaviour being complained about. A single complaint case can have one or many allegations attached.
A person who makes a complaint about the conduct of someone serving with the police.
The ending of an ongoing investigation into a complaint, conduct matter or DSI matter. An investigation may only be discontinued if it meets one or more of the grounds for discontinuance set out in law.
List of officers and staff who have been dismissed from policing, or would have been if they had not retired or resigned.
The type of behaviour being complained about. A single complaint case can have one or many allegations attached.
Disapplication means that a police force may handle a complaint in whatever way it thinks fit, including not dealing with it under complaints legislation. This may only happen in certain circumstances where the complaint fits one or more of the grounds for disapplication set out in law.
An independent judicial officer, the coroner enquires into deaths reported to him/her.
A breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour that would justify at least a written warning.
No further action may be taken with regard to a complaint if the complainant decides to retract their allegation(s).
A record is made of a complaint, giving it formal status as a complaint under the Police Reform Act 2002.
This is a format where information is written in plain English and short sentences.
The IOPC must be notified about specific types of complaint or incidents to be able to decide how they should be dealt with.
No further action may be taken with regard to a complaint if the complainant decides to retract their allegation(s).
Casework involves assessing appeals. Casework staff also have a role in overseeing the police complaints system to help ensure police forces handle complaints in the best possible way.
Disapplication means that a police force may handle a complaint in whatever way it thinks fit, including not dealing with it under complaints legislation. This may only happen in certain circumstances where the complaint fits one or more of the grounds for disapplication set out in law.
Conduct includes acts, omissions, statements and decisions (whether actual, alleged or inferred). For example: language used and the manner or tone of communications.
You can request a review/appeal if you’re not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled.
You can request a review/appeal if you’re not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled.
