A former Cheshire Police constable was dismissed from the force after he ignored a tablet inside the home of a "predatory paedophile" during a visit. Andrew Hein was found to have dishonestly failed to take action regarding the device, which could be used to connect to the internet.
Visit to Sex Offender's Home
During a Cheshire Police misconduct hearing on October 22 this year, it was heard how Hein attended the address of the sex offender on December 13 last year along with a colleague from the force. During the visit, Hein identified an unregistered tablet in breach of the man's sexual risk order.
It was alleged that Hein failed to take appropriate action in relation to this and made false statements about the visit on policing systems. At the time, Hein was said to have worked in a unit which managed the risk of offenders who present a significant risk to the public.
Serious Offences and Missed Risk
In this case, the man was charged, and subsequently convicted, of "extremely serious sexual offences relating to young children". Hein was aware of the then-alleged offences, which consisted of possession of indecent images and incitement of children to engage in sexual acts, communication and grooming.
The misconduct report, written by Chief Constable Mark Roberts, said: "As such, it must have been apparent to PC Hein that robust management and enforcement of his devices under the (Interim) Sexual Risk Order was essential to mitigate the risk that the offender posed to children."
The report continued: "Taking the most benevolent interpretation of events as outlined today a predatory paedophile had been in possession of an electronic device capable of facilitating like offences, whilst in hospital, and upon his return to his home whereupon the device was located in his bedroom."
Deleted Internet History and Dismissal
When the device was eventually seized over a month later, the internet history had been deleted, and the absence of a report detailing the discovery of the device a month earlier meant the Chief Constable was unable to be certain it was the same device seen by Hein. The then-constable's lack of action resulted in the sex offender having potential to commit further offences.
Chief Constable Roberts continued: "The failure to properly document the visit compounded this as it circumvented initial management review to identify the risk, and limited future investigation of the device.
"As such I consider these clear breaches of his duties and responsibilities, which amount to Gross Misconduct. Further to this, this risk should have been apparent to him, which leads me to believe that.
"PC Hein’s failure to properly document his decision making was borne out of dishonesty, rather than forgetfulness."
Hein was described as an experienced officer whose role in sex offender management is "critical to maintaining public safety". The document continued to state that Hein accepted he knew of the existence of the device but determined there was no further action needed.
Hein's actions were found to have amounted to gross misconduct, and he was dismissed from his role without notice.
