Complaints against officers

[Fedster + 1,307]

Multitude of serious shortcomings revealed including female officers being threatened.

Hugh O'Neill

The full extent of errors by Norfolk Constabulary to properly investigate the sexual abuse of female officers by a police doctor has come to light.

Officers who were sexually assaulted by the force's medical examiner during their recruitment examinations were let down by a "superficial investigation" which saw their abuser escape conviction for two decades, a report says.

A number of female police officers had alleged in 1993 they were indecently assaulted by Dr Hugh O'Neill, but these allegations were not criminally investigated.

It was not until 2014 that an investigation was carried out resulting in the conviction of O’Neill.

He pleaded guilty to 13 counts of indecently assaulting 13 “extremely vulnerable” female officers while in his role as the medical adviser for Norfolk Police between 1991 and 2003.

He was jailed for an additional three years, having already been sentenced in 2015 to 12 years in prison for the rape and sexual assault of two girls aged under 14.

Subsequently, Essex Police’s Serious Crime Directorate launched Operation Stornoway in June 2016 to uncover any misconduct against Norfolk officers in the 1993 and 2002 investigations into O'Neill.

“Operation Stornoway has identified significant concerns and failings both in 1993 and 2002 that have resulted in major consequences for the victims,” the report added.

Fresh revelations revealed a total of 33 people who underwent medical examinations had made allegations – 20 more than originally thought.

The damning report was released this week following a Freedom of Information request.

Some of the allegations included officers being “told to keep quiet” and threatened they would be sued for slander if they repeated the allegations made against O’Neill.

Chaperones were also introduced in the wake of the serious accusations, but during the passage of time, the policy lapsed and by 1997 had “fizzled out completely.”

This enabled O’Neill to regain control of the female medicals and be able to conduct them alone, the report added.

It is also understood despite accusations of sexual assault, O’Neill was asked to determine what a medical should consist of – a "comprehensive full body check, including examination of breasts, genitalia and anus" - putting him in a position to justify any assaults.

“Given the allegations of indecent assault, it seems incredible that O’Neill was able to legitimise these crimes both in the past and in the future. His guidance was a licence to commit indecent assaults on females,” the report said.

The 1993 allegations were "deliberately not properly investigated" and one person seen during the 2002 investigation was not asked to provide a statement until 2014 - 21 years after the assaults, it added.

The document is also critical of the 2002 investigation, and the conduct of an interview is described as "at times farcical" and ‘worrying’ that he was interviewed not under caution – raising concerns he was “treated differently.”

Andy Hayman was Norfolk chief constable at the time of the second investigation into O'Neill in 2003

 

His solicitor was also provided with full copies of complainants statements together with medical references prior to the interview.

The reason is recorded as “to enable to comment on allegations with all relevant information available to him.”

The report also gives consideration to whether there was misconduct around the earlier investigations.

This was made difficult given the "passage of time and the absence of records", and that some officers are no longer serving. Names are redacted from the report.

After evidence against six officers was passed to Norfolk Police, DCC Nick Dean found four had a case to answer for misconduct. As they have all retired no action could be taken.

A file was also passed to the CPS. It said it was “hindered by a lack of evidence” in considering the prosecution of two senior officers from 1993 for perverting the course of justice and misconduct in a public office.

It concluded an "absence of clear leadership is integral to all of the failings."

A Norfolk Police spokesman said: “As previously stated, the Essex Police independent enquiry commissioned by the Chief Constable found failings in the force’s handling of prior investigations in 1993 and 2002/3. Both of these investigations did not result in criminal charges being brought against him.

“Hugh O’Neill was a sexual predator who operated in plain sight using his professional role to abuse the trust of the very people who are expected to protect others from such abuse. 

“O’Neill committed the offences while contracted as the Force Medical Examiner (FME) between 1991 and 2003 and was consulted on policy around medical examinations as a qualified practitioner.

“It is a matter of great regret that neither of the previous enquiries resulted in criminal convictions and there were a number of errors made in procedures both times."

View On Police Oracle

[HazRat 762]

I’ve had to read this twice in case my eyes were deceiving me. I’m stunned that someone in Norfolk was aware of this going on and has pretty much done nothing. How awful for those officers. Failed as victims by their own employer.

[Fedster + 1,307]

2 hours ago, HazRat said:

I’ve had to read this twice in case my eyes were deceiving me. I’m stunned that someone in Norfolk was aware of this going on and has pretty much done nothing. How awful for those officers. Failed as victims by their own employer.

The victims initially were told if they complained they would be sued for slander.

It really beggars belief.

[Mac7 808]

The victims initially were told if they complained they would be sued for slander.
It really beggars belief.

It absolutely does. You have to wonder about the motivation for such comments and why allegations were ignored. I just hope the abuse wasn’t ignored to prevent the force getting a bad name. Staggering that this could go on.

[Pavillion 43]

I am only stunned that those who have posted are stunned. It is bad all round.

[Reasonable Man + 1,231]

I am only stunned that those who have posted are stunned. It is bad all round.

I'm stunned that you are stunned that posters are stunned. Is it about about Norfolk Police specifically?

[Indiana Jones + 1,082]

11 hours ago, Pavillion said:

I am only stunned that those who have posted are stunned.

Why?

[Hyphen + 693]

11 hours ago, Pavillion said:

I am only stunned that those who have posted are stunned. It is bad all round.

What on Earth? What are you saying? Are you saying that this isn’t something to be shocked or stunned by?

This maybe isn’t the kind of topic to be a wind up.

[obsidian_eclipse + 1,202]

What I want to know is who told them not to press forward with complaints. They are just as guilty in my eyes and shouldn't get away with a wave goodbye, but serve substantial time.

[Pavillion 43]

13 hours ago, Reasonable Man said:

I'm stunned that you are stunned that posters are stunned. Is it about about Norfolk Police specifically?

I am stunned at the amount of stunning, simply put corruption is rife. Whether it be small or large scale, it rife.

[Pavillion 43]

5 hours ago, Indiana Jones said:

Why?

Being stunned at such things show how naive one is. Corruption is rife be it small or large, its everywhere at every level. It will happen again and again. 

[Pavillion 43]

5 hours ago, Hyphen said:

What on Earth?

Is that actually question?

 

5 hours ago, Hyphen said:

What are you saying?

I thought was pretty clear.

 

5 hours ago, Hyphen said:

Are you saying that this isn’t something to be shocked or stunned by?

At the corruption level, no. I am surprised one would think that this is not a common occurrence.

 

5 hours ago, Hyphen said:

This maybe isn’t the kind of topic to be a wind up.

I am not winding anything up, taking the mighty than thou stance is a wind up. This pure corruption and I am betting its a normal thing at this level.

 

Clearly there are those that think its a very isolated case. Your welcome to your opinion and contribution, happy holidays to you sir.

[Reasonable Man + 1,231]

I am stunned at the amount of stunning, simply put corruption is rife. Whether it be small or large scale, it rife.

I'm stunned at how rife you think such corruption is. But then again, it depends on whether what you think is rife is the same as what I think is rife.
Still wondering what makes you think such corruption is rife in Norfolk.

[Mac7 808]

Pavilion - it’s evident from your posts that you enjoy winding people up to provoke a response. This thread is about a plethora of people being sexually assaulted and/or potentially humiliated at the hands of someone you ordinarily would trust. Can you please give it a rest on this thread and have some decency and respect for others. There may be people on this forum, reading this thread that work for Norfolk and/or know some of the victims. It’s not the time or the place.

[Fedster + 1,307]

I agree with Hyphen, saying sexual abuse of police officers is rife is a ridiculous thing to say, if you want to make that claim Pavillion, at least evidence it with a source.