The Humberside Police Department has confirmed that it would not prosecute an inspector who was found guilty of gross misconduct following allegations that he sexually handled two 14- and 17-year-old females between April 2003 and April 2005.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) stated that criminal proceedings were not referred to them. The Humberside Police declared that “proper procedures” had been followed, but a successful prosecution was deemed impossible. Also, the police stated they had initiated a criminal investigation.
The misconduct hearing determined that Mr. Mattinson was guilty, and both young women testified in person at the four-day hearing in Goole, East Yorkshire. The officer, a PC in his late 20s at the time, invited the oldest complaint to his home to give her drink and pizza; she described him as “touchy-feely” and “persistent.” The panel called Mr. Mattinson’s acts as “unprofessional, sexual, and improper,” adding that he “severely eroded” public confidence in the police department.
According to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, the case was reported to them, but after “careful evaluation of the relevant facts,” the force was instructed to conduct “a local inquiry.” Diana Johnson, the representative for Hull North, contacted the chief constable to inquire about the force’s handling of misconduct matters. She expressed concern that such cases “continue to erode public faith in policing.”
The Humberside Police have vowed to act on any new information on Mr. Mattinson’s conduct. They have urged anyone with knowledge to contact them and reassured the public that actions are being taken to prevent future occurrences of such crimes.
