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| Deputy chief constable facing sexual harassment claims was never vetted | Deputy chief constable facing sexual harassment claims was never vetted |
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| A deputy chief constable who killed himself while being investigated over his treatment of female staff had never been properly vetted, a report has revealed. | A deputy chief constable who killed himself while being investigated over his treatment of female staff had never been properly vetted, a report has revealed. |
| David Ainsworth, the deputy chief constable of Wiltshire, was found hanged in March last year during an investigation by an outside force into a string of allegations from women about his behaviour in the workplace. | David Ainsworth, the deputy chief constable of Wiltshire, was found hanged in March last year during an investigation by an outside force into a string of allegations from women about his behaviour in the workplace. |
| A report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) on Wednesday revealed that Ainsworth, who joined the Wiltshire force in 2008 after 22 years with Kent police, had never been properly vetted. Since his death it has emerged that complaints were made against him over his behaviour while in Kent as well as in Wiltshire. | A report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) on Wednesday revealed that Ainsworth, who joined the Wiltshire force in 2008 after 22 years with Kent police, had never been properly vetted. Since his death it has emerged that complaints were made against him over his behaviour while in Kent as well as in Wiltshire. |
| The inspectorate said failures in vetting of senior officers were replicated across the country and needed to be addressed. | The inspectorate said failures in vetting of senior officers were replicated across the country and needed to be addressed. |
| "There were apparent failures in the operation of the vetting system in Mr Ainsworth's case," the HMIC report said. "As a result of the inaction on the part of both Mr Ainsworth and Wiltshire police this remained unresolved at the time of Mr Ainsworth's death, a period of 18 months." | "There were apparent failures in the operation of the vetting system in Mr Ainsworth's case," the HMIC report said. "As a result of the inaction on the part of both Mr Ainsworth and Wiltshire police this remained unresolved at the time of Mr Ainsworth's death, a period of 18 months." |
| The HMIC team said they were surprised that the then chief constable of Wiltshire, Brian Moore, and the chair of the police authority both "assumed" vetting had been completed. The report said: "This is not an issue singular to Wiltshire police. Senior officers across a number of forces believe that vetting processes occur automatically." The report called for the Association of Chief Police Officers to consider reviewing the vetting of national chief officers. | The HMIC team said they were surprised that the then chief constable of Wiltshire, Brian Moore, and the chair of the police authority both "assumed" vetting had been completed. The report said: "This is not an issue singular to Wiltshire police. Senior officers across a number of forces believe that vetting processes occur automatically." The report called for the Association of Chief Police Officers to consider reviewing the vetting of national chief officers. |
| Ainsworth's partner – who has complained to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) about the way the investigation into the allegations was conducted – said the report identified clear failings in the management of the inquiry. | Ainsworth's partner – who has complained to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) about the way the investigation into the allegations was conducted – said the report identified clear failings in the management of the inquiry. |
| Joanna Howes said the force "systematically poisoned" everyone against her partner and denied he was guilty of sexual harassment of women. | Joanna Howes said the force "systematically poisoned" everyone against her partner and denied he was guilty of sexual harassment of women. |
| Ainsworth is one of the most senior officers to be accused of sexual harassment of women. Two female members of staff at Wiltshire police who first complained about his behaviour have received a settlement and an apology. | Ainsworth is one of the most senior officers to be accused of sexual harassment of women. Two female members of staff at Wiltshire police who first complained about his behaviour have received a settlement and an apology. |
| An investigation by South Wales police into allegations from 13 female members of staff, who raised 26 complaints, was underway at the time Ainsworth hanged himself at his home in Pottern, near Devizes. | An investigation by South Wales police into allegations from 13 female members of staff, who raised 26 complaints, was underway at the time Ainsworth hanged himself at his home in Pottern, near Devizes. |
| The HMIC review of the case indicated the Wiltshire force had no proper whistleblowing procedures. It said such a policy should be developed. | The HMIC review of the case indicated the Wiltshire force had no proper whistleblowing procedures. It said such a policy should be developed. |
| The force and the police authority had faced exceptional circumstances and both before and after Ainsworth's death the "scale and speed of events that unfolded could not have been readily predicted". | The force and the police authority had faced exceptional circumstances and both before and after Ainsworth's death the "scale and speed of events that unfolded could not have been readily predicted". |
| It criticised the police authority for not taking any "visible lead" and for failing to make a clear decision on his deployment, deciding not to suspend Ainsworth but leaving him on severely restricted duties. According to his partner this had a "significant and deeply damaging effect on his state of mind and health". | It criticised the police authority for not taking any "visible lead" and for failing to make a clear decision on his deployment, deciding not to suspend Ainsworth but leaving him on severely restricted duties. According to his partner this had a "significant and deeply damaging effect on his state of mind and health". |
| The report criticised Moore for on occasion lacking a "full grasp of the individual sensitivities" involved. And it concluded that the force "still has some way to go to embed emotional intelligence within its culture". The report also criticised a lack of co-ordination and clarity around welfare arrangements. | The report criticised Moore for on occasion lacking a "full grasp of the individual sensitivities" involved. And it concluded that the force "still has some way to go to embed emotional intelligence within its culture". The report also criticised a lack of co-ordination and clarity around welfare arrangements. |
| Ainsworth joined Wiltshire in 2008 as part of a new leadership team brought in to tackle a rise in crime in the force area. The first complaint against him from a female member of police staff came just over a year later. It was resolved with the police authority providing a "management action plan" for the deputy chief constable. But it was closely followed by another complaint, and then a letter from Unison – the union representing police staff – detailing further concerns. | Ainsworth joined Wiltshire in 2008 as part of a new leadership team brought in to tackle a rise in crime in the force area. The first complaint against him from a female member of police staff came just over a year later. It was resolved with the police authority providing a "management action plan" for the deputy chief constable. But it was closely followed by another complaint, and then a letter from Unison – the union representing police staff – detailing further concerns. |
| In 2010 South Wales police began its investigation and a report has now been passed to the police authority. | In 2010 South Wales police began its investigation and a report has now been passed to the police authority. |
| Ben Priestley, Unison's national officer for policing, said the report must lead to a root-and-branch review of sexual harassment in the police, the steps that are taken to tackle it, and the procedures by which it can be reported. | Ben Priestley, Unison's national officer for policing, said the report must lead to a root-and-branch review of sexual harassment in the police, the steps that are taken to tackle it, and the procedures by which it can be reported. |
| "Investigations at Wiltshire and in other forces have revealed sexual harassment in the police to be on a worrying scale," he said. | "Investigations at Wiltshire and in other forces have revealed sexual harassment in the police to be on a worrying scale," he said. |
| "It has devastating consequences for the women who have been affected. We need to make sure that no other women have to suffer, and that the police service becomes a more welcoming and inclusive place in which to work." | "It has devastating consequences for the women who have been affected. We need to make sure that no other women have to suffer, and that the police service becomes a more welcoming and inclusive place in which to work." |
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