Greater Manchester police chief faces criminal investigation

London: The chief constable of Greater Manchester police is under criminal investigation over his alleged role in a poorly handled investigation into a suspected sex offender, the police watchdog has said.

Sir Peter Fahy, one of Britain’s most senior police chiefs, has been served with a criminal and gross misconduct notice following allegations made by a whistle-blower.

In a statement, Fahy said: “As a chief constable you face making complex decisions on a daily basis about many high-risk and challenging situations. It is right that this decision-making is scrutinised and that I am held to account as part of this investigation.”

Separately, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said the assistant chief constable Terry Sweeney, also of Greater Manchester police, had been served with a gross misconduct notice for his oversight role in the disposal of body parts belonging to victims of the serial killer Harold Shipman.

Fahy and Sweeney are among four senior Greater Manchester officers under investigation as part of three separate inquiries by the IPCC.

A detective superintendent and a detective chief inspector have also been served with criminal and gross misconduct notices for their roles in an allegedly poorly handled investigation into a suspected sex offender. A retired officer will also be served with a criminal and gross misconduct notice over his role in the investigation, the IPCC said.

Fahy remains in his post. Senior officers have faced a series of investigations in recent times. Of the top 10 forces in England, two have chiefs that are currently suspended pending investigation. They are the West Yorkshire chief Mark Gilmore and Avon and Somerset chief Nick Gargan.