Police watchdog orders Humberside force to carry out gross misconduct hearings

It's after surveillance was carried out on the sister of Christopher Alder - who died in custody in Hull in 1998.

Published 1st Nov 2017

The police watchdog has ordered Humberside Police to hold gross misconduct hearings for two officers.

It's after surveillance was carried out on the sister of Christopher Alder, who died in custody in Hull in 1998 and another person.

The Home Secretary originally asked all police forces to check their records for any surveillance carried out after the 1993 murder of Stephen Lawrence in London.

Humberside Police didn't find any but searches did uncover evidence of surveillance of Janet Alder and another person.

Earlier this year the Crown Prose concluded there wasn't a realistic prospect of conviction - today the force has said they accept the IPCC's decision and will now confirm the date of the hearings.

IPCC Commissioner Cindy Butts said: “The decision to direct a police force to hold disciplinary hearings is not taken lightly. Taking into account the serious and sensitive nature of the allegations and the weight of the evidence presented to me, I felt it was essential for public confidence that the officers concerned account for their actions.”

Humberside Police’s Professional Standards Unit said;

“We can confirm that the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has directed Humberside Police to hold gross misconduct hearings for two police officers, following its independent investigation into the Police’s surveillance of two people, which took place in the year 2000. Humberside Police have sent us a statement: "