Police officers to face misconduct charge over Climbie case

Six Metropolitan Police Service Officers are to face formal
misconduct charges for alleged failing to perform their duties in
relation to the care of Victoria Climbie, writes Amy
Taylor.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission announced this week
that that one police constable, three police sergeants, a detective
inspector and a detective chief inspector should face the
charges.

In addition two other police officers, a chief superintendent
and a detective inspector, will not be formally disciplined but
will receive “words of advice” over a failure to perform their
duties.

The Metropolitan Police Authority, who have ultimate
responsibility for internal discipline matters involving officers
of senior rank, have been asked to consider whether to take action
against a temporary commander and a commander who are still under
investigation.

The announcement follows the Independent Police Complaints
Commissions final decision on the inquiry into Brent and Haringey
police’s child protection teams’ responses to incidents
concerning Victoria before she died.

Laurence Lustgarten, IPCC commissioner for North West London,
said: “The inquiry was fair and objective, and looked at the
actions of officers of all rank. The tribunal will be arranged by
the Metropolitan Police Service.”

A date for the tribunal will be set in due course.

The General Medical Council is “looking into issues”
concerning consultant paediatrician Ruby Schwartz who overruled
early-suspicions of non-accidental injury to Victoria and diagnosed
scabies instead. It refused to say if it enquiries related to her
treatment of Victoria

Schwartz allowed Victoria to be discharged without
investigating, GP, school or childminding. She assumed the latter
two would be investigated by social services.

She has admitted that she failed to take clinical responsibility
for Victoria’s discharge and her notes had been
“totally inadequate”. A date for a public hearing has
not been set.