THE chief constable of Wiltshire Police is among a trio of officers being investigated over an alleged cover-up over the force’s handling of sexual abuse complaints.

Pat Geenty, an inspector and a detective constable are subject to an IPCC investigation into whether they deliberately withheld information during an investigation five years ago into historic sexual abuse complaints.

The allegations relate to complaints, made between 2008 and 2010, about how a historic sexual abuse case was handled by the force.

Mr Geenty, who was assistant chief constable of the force between 2008 and 2010, said: “I am shocked by the allegation that I attempted to mislead a complainant.

“I welcome an open and transparent investigation and the public deserve no less. The IPCC is there to investigate complaints independently and hold Chief Constables to account.

“I expect my actions to be reviewed and scrutinised. I am committed to serving the people of Wiltshire and protecting children and vulnerable people.

“It is vital that we listen to complaints and learn from them.”

Angus Macpherson, police and crime commissioner for Swindon and Wiltshire, along with Mike Veale, deputy chief constable of Wiltshire Police, referred the case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) after considering a complaint made on August 14.

Mr Macpherson said: “I can confirm that, on August 29, 2014, I made a referral to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) concerning the chief constable after considering a letter of complaint received by my office on August 14, 2014.

“This letter was with regard to the way in which a previous complaint had been dealt with by the force between 2008-10.

“That complaint was in relation to the way a case of historic sexual abuse had been managed.

“Following an initial meeting with IPCC investigators, my office is now in consultation with the IPCC on the matter.

“Deputy Chief Constable Mike Veale has made referrals to the IPCC in relation to the conduct of two other officers who were also involved in the handling of the 2008 complaint.’’

A spokesman for the IPCC said: “The IPCC is investigating the Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police, Patrick Geenty, an inspector and a detective constable from the force in relation to the way they dealt with complaints lodged in 2008 and 2009.

“Those complaints had been about the way the force handled allegations of sexual abuse.

“The matter was referred to the IPCC by the force regarding the inspector and detective constable and by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) in relation to the Chief Constable, on August 29, 2014, following complaints received.

“The allegations within the recent complaints are that in 2009 the then detective inspector and detective constable, having examined the way the force dealt with the sexual abuse allegations, withheld information from the complainants as to the extent of the force’s failings.

“It is also alleged that the then-Assistant Chief Constable, Mr Geenty, also withheld information and misled the complainants.’’

IPCC deputy chairman, Sarah Green, said: “It is vital that the public are confident that police forces will take their complaints seriously and act with honesty and integrity. Our investigation will seek to establish whether information was knowingly withheld and whether these complainants were knowingly and dishonestly misled.”

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said yesterday: “Wiltshire Police can confirm that a referral was made to the IPCC relating to the way the Force dealt with a complaint between 2008-10.

“They have informed us that the referral will now be subject to an independent IPCC investigation. The referral was regarding the conduct of two Wiltshire Police officers – an inspector and a detective constable.

“A separate referral from the OPCC was also submitted to the IPCC. This referral is regarding a third officer, the Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police, who is also subject to an independent investigation by the IPCC regarding the above matter.”