IOPC drops probe into police officer over information sharing

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 17:35 · Archive

An investigation into former Cheshire Police assistant chief constable Una Kelly has been closed with no further action.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has dropped its investigation into former Cheshire Police assistant chief constable Una Kelly over allegations of sharing confidential information without proper purpose. Kelly was suspended from duty in November 2024 when Cheshire Police referred the matter to the IOPC. The allegations, which dated back to 2018 before she joined Cheshire Police, were reported in October 2024.

The IOPC investigation examined digital evidence, messages and emails. It found that confidential information relating to a police employment matter had been shared inappropriately with a chief officer at another force. Both Kelly and the other senior officer involved denied sending the information. The recipient officer, who is no longer serving with the police, declined to engage with the investigation.

Without the recipient officer's cooperation, the IOPC said there was insufficient evidence to determine which of the two officers passed on the information. An IOPC spokesman described this as 'a disappointing outcome', stating that 'transparency and openness are critical to the maintenance of public confidence in policing'. Kelly responded that the damage caused by the investigation is 'irreparable'.

IOPC drops probe into police officer over information sharing — Image: Northwich Guardian

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How it is being reported

High-ranking police officer says ‘damage irreparable’ after IOPC probe droppedIOPC drops investigation into former Cheshire Police assistant chief constable Una Kelly over alleged confidential information sharing; no further action follows.Northwich Guardian · 29 Oct, 17:00
High-ranking police officer says ‘damage irreparable’ after IOPC probe droppedIOPC drops investigation into former Cheshire Police assistant chief constable Una Kelly over alleged confidential information sharing; no further action follows.Warrington Guardian · 29 Oct, 17:00

In this story: Una Kelly · Cheshire Police · Independent Office for Police Conduct

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