INVESTIGATIVE OFFICER

Posted by Nichola Devey on June 27, 2015 at 7:43am in Employment Law

HI Everyone

I have been advised by a new member of our Team that they would like a witness statement from the investigative officer.

I've said no due to bias - other than to put a timeline together for ease of the chair in the hearing.

Am I correct?

Thanks Nic

You need to be a member of DPG Community to add comments!

Join DPG Community

Email me when people reply –

Replies

Nichola Devey July 5, 2015 at 1:01pm

HI Sarah

The individual has 'back tracked' somewhat since our last.

She has now confirmed that it is the timeline of events in a statement that she wanted - I advised that this was for her eyes only to assist in the hearing and that it shouldn't be a part of the evidential bundle sent out.

Thanks for all of your swift responses.

Nic
- Sarah Loates > Nichola Devey July 5, 2015 at 1:03pm
  
  No problem Nic and I agree a timeline is perfectly reasonable it would be something I would expect to see in the investigation manager's report. Glad that the community pages helped!
  
  Good luck!
  
  Kind regards
  
  Sarah
Sarah Loates June 28, 2015 at 8:11am

Hi Nic 
 
Interesting one who is requesting the statement and why? By virtue of the fact they are the investigating officer typically you would expect that they had had no prior involvement in the case under investigation to ensure impartiality. 
 
Does whoever requested this feel they have something material to add? 
 

With my cynical hat on this could also be a tactic to get the case thrown out by demonstrating the investigation manager is not impartial.
The answer I would give would depend on the specific facts but no is always a good place to start from! 
 
Regards 
 
Sarah
- Nichola Devey > Sarah Loates June 28, 2015 at 9:31am
 
 HI Sarah
 
 Thank you for confirming with me on this one. Appreciated.
 
 As the person who suggested it is of a higher level I just wanted to be absolutely certain that I had done the right thing by saying no.
 
 Regards, Nic
 - Sarah Loates > Nichola Devey June 29, 2015 at 9:13am
 
 Hi Nic
 
 No problem.
 
 I would still explore their rationale and why they thought that the investigation manager should submit this though. Is it something which is material to the case?
 
 Regards
 
 Sarah