Met Police chief inspector arrested over child abuse images found dead

A elder Met Police serviceman who was being investigated implicit kid maltreatment images has been recovered dead.

The assemblage of Ch Insp Richard Watkinson, who was suspended from duty, was recovered astatine location successful Buckinghamshire connected Thursday.

The serviceman was being investigated for conspiracy to administer indecent images of children, voyeurism and misconduct successful nationalist office.

He was archetypal arrested by constabulary watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) connected 9 July 2021.

Mr Watkinson was serving with the West Area bid portion astatine the clip of the arrest.

Due to "significant developments successful the investigation", the lawsuit was past passed connected to specializer officers astatine the Met Police.

"Following a behaviour referral from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), IOPC investigators arrested a Metropolitan Police Service serviceman connected 9 July, 2021," an IOPC spokesperson said.

"We decided it was successful the nationalist involvement for the substance to beryllium investigated by specializer officers from the unit with the indispensable skills required successful this area," helium added.

The elder serviceman was past arrested again connected 20 July connected suspicion of kid enactment offences.

A Met Police spokeswoman said: "A serving serviceman was arrested connected 9 July 2021 by the Independent Office for Police Conduct and the substance passed backmost to beryllium investigated by specializer officers from the Met.

"The serviceman was further arrested connected 20 July 2022 connected suspicion of offences including conspiracy to administer indecent images of children, voyeurism and misconduct successful nationalist office.

"The serviceman was bailed pending further inquiries and suspended from duty."

Last week, Met Police officers attended the Mr Watkinson's Buckinghamshire location successful what is usually an country covered by Thames Valley Police.

The Met spokeswoman continued: "Met officers attended an code successful Buckinghamshire connected the day of Thursday, 12 January pursuing payment concerns and recovered the assemblage of antheral successful his 40s.

"While Thames Valley Police are dealing with this matter, we tin corroborate the antheral was a serving Met officer, based astatine the West Area Command Unit."