Ealing's Former Police Chief Sacked for Leaking Information

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Panel decided Andy Rowell 'lacked integrity needed to be a police officer'

Ealing's former Police Chief, Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Rowell has been sacked for leaking 'sensitive 'information to a journalist.

Mr Rowell was originally arrested in February 2013 by detectives from Operation Elveden - the operation investigating corrupt payments to public officials in the wake of the phone hacking scandal.

He was suspended from his post as Ealing's Commander on full pay after his arrest although criminal proceedings against him were later dropped.

Following a Misconduct Hearing lasting six days the panel heard evidence in relation to six allegations.They were told that DCS Rowell kept a copy of a statement, which included sensitive details from a serious crime investigation. He then allowed a journalist to see it and photograph it.

Of the six allegations the case was found proven in four and not proven in two.

The case of gross misconduct against DCS Rowell was found proved, that his behaviour lacked honesty and integrity, that he had abused his position and his behaviour could have brought discredit on the police service.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Fiona Taylor, of the Directorate of Professional Standards said: "Andy Rowell had a long and successful career, rising to the rank of Detective Chief Superintendent, he was respected by staff across the organisation as well as the community he worked with. He let all of those people down when he took the decision to leak police information in a significant and sensitive case - going against everything that he knew would have been the correct thing to do. His actions lacked the integrity required to be a police officer."

Chief Superintendent Andy Rowell began his police career in 1984 and became borough Commander in Ealing in July 2010 and was in charge of policing during the summer riots of 2011.

17th January 2015