FOUR Wiltshire Police employees are being criminally investigated for gross misconduct, the force has confirmed.

This has been revealed by chief constable Kier Pritchard following the sentencing of David Carrick on Tuesday, February 7.

Carrick will serve a minimum of 30 years in jail. He was told he had taken "monstrous advantage of women" as he was sentenced to 36 life terms.

The 48-year-old committed violent and degrading sexual offences against a dozen women over two decades.

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There are a total of 13 ongoing "gross misconduct" investigations against officers and staff at Wiltshire Police.

Four of these are currently being criminally investigated.

The investigations are subject to ongoing enquiries within Wiltshire Police's Professional Standards Department.

The force's outgoing Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said: "I would like our communities to know that we will continue to root out those individuals who abuse the position of trust they are in.  There is no place in policing for such individuals and we will relentlessly pursue those who do not uphold the oath and values which we, as public servants, live by.

“His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) recently made 43 recommendations to Forces focused on improving standards of vetting and misconduct investigations. We have already worked through these recommendations and completed two formal reviews to ensure we are confident our processes and practices are effective."

Mr Pritchard added that he is "absolutely committed to identifying those who look to betray the confidence we invest in them to keep the public safe". 

Commander Catherine Roper will take over from Mr Pritchard as chief constable on Feburary 27. 

Mr Pritchard added: "We are not immune to such toxically damaging cases here in Wiltshire and we, like all other Forces, must now hold the mirror up to ourselves and ensure we root out those who so badly betray the trust the public should have in us.

“The actions of the minority who abuse their positions for their own gratification fundamentally go against everything that we believe in, and our primary role in keeping people safe."