Senior West Yorkshire Police officers face gross misconduct hearing over investigation into murdered toddler Riley Siswick

Three officers who initially investigated the murder of three-year-old Riley Siswick in Huddersfield will face allegations of gross misconduct.
Kyle Campbell and Kayleigh Siswick were jailed after the death of three-year-old Riley.Kyle Campbell and Kayleigh Siswick were jailed after the death of three-year-old Riley.
Kyle Campbell and Kayleigh Siswick were jailed after the death of three-year-old Riley.

West Yorkshire Police officers Detective Chief Inspector Mark Swift, Detective Inspector George Bardell and PC Oliver Scoones are alleged to have breached professional standards of behaviour which, if proven, could be considered serious enough to warrant dismissal.

-> Serious case review into murder of Yorkshire toddler after family reported to social services two months before his deathThey face allegations that they failed to conduct a thorough investigation and prepared a report to a coroner that was incomplete or misleading and are scheduled to attend a misconduct hearing beginning on Monday following a 10-month investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

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Riley died on February 6 2016 and the three officers were involved in investigating the circumstances of his death.

A referral was made to the IOPC in December 2016 by West Yorkshire Police in relation to the police investigation.

"We launched an investigation which was competed in October 2017 when we concluded the three officers had a case to answer for gross misconduct," said the IOPC."West Yorkshire Police disagreed and in January 2018 we directed that a hearing take place. It will be for a panel to decide if the case against the officers is proven."

Following a fresh West Yorkshire Police investigation into Riley’s death, Kyle Campbell and Kayleigh Siswick were charged on November 2018.

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DI Bardell and DCI Swift also face an allegation they failed to supervise an investigation appropriately and PC Scoones faces an allegation he attempted to influence a witness over the evidence they provided.

"The allegations, if proven, could be seen as a breach of their duties and responsibilities and of conduct that could discredit the police service or undermine public confidence in policing," said the watchdog.

There are two additional allegations against the officers that could be considered to be misconduct if proven, namely that DCI Swift failed to follow correct policies and procedures and that PC Scoones failed to properly co-operate with social services, added the IOPC.