The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating whether Hertfordshire Constabulary's inquiry into material found on Andrew Tate's electronic devices in 2015 met local and national guidance on child sex exploitation and evidence of human trafficking.
The regulator confirmed a report by The Daily Telegraph that it is examining the force's handling of alleged indecent child images seized during a search of the influencer's UK home. The case had been closed but was reopened earlier this year after the IOPC said a former detective constable could face gross misconduct proceedings for alleged failures to properly investigate.
Allegations and Evidence
British prosecutors are seeking the extradition from the US of Andrew Tate, 39, and his brother Tristan, 38, to face charges including rape and sex trafficking. Andrew Tate is also accused of making and distributing indecent images of a child and possessing extreme pornography.
In court documents filed last month, police alleged that 168 indecent images of a child were found on phones and a laptop belonging to Andrew Tate, following his arrest at his home in Hitchin in 2015. Of these, 66 were classed as the most serious category A tier. He is also said to have shared images and a video of the child committing an indecent act on WhatsApp.
IOPC Investigation
An IOPC spokesperson said: "We have been independently investigating the actions and decision making of Hertfordshire Constabulary following multiple reports of sexual offending by a man, which was first reported to the force in 2015. Our investigation began following a voluntary conduct referral from the force in December 2023."
The spokesperson added: "We are investigating a former detective constable for potential gross misconduct, relating to alleged failures to properly investigate, and two former detective sergeants at the level of misconduct, who supervised the investigation." The IOPC is also examining whether the force's investigation "met the local and national guidance in relation to child sex exploitation and evidence of human trafficking."
Legal Proceedings
A spokesman for the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit said: "We understand the interest in this case. However, we would remind the media and members of the public that as a result of charges being authorised, legal proceedings are now active and we are therefore unable to comment further at this time."
The two brothers will face separate extradition hearings at a Miami court next month. Their lawyer, Joseph McBride, said: "The constitution forbids punishing people who have not been convicted of a crime." He added: "We will challenge every charge, every alleged factual basis, and every failure to satisfy the requirements of American law and the extradition treaty."
