An investigation has begun into how alleged historical sex assaults carried out by a police surgeon on officers and staff were handled by the constabulary he worked for.
Dr Reginald Bunting, who was employed by Avon and Somerset police between 1972 and 2006, has been accused of committing sexual offences against a number of men and women in the force Bunting died in 2013.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said on Friday it would look at how complaints about Bunting were dealt with in the 1990s.
Avon and Somerset constabulary has asked a retired Merseyside detective, DS Tim Keelan, to examine the allegations of sexual assault. His inquiry is due to end early next year.
Bunting’s work as a police surgeon included tasks such as caring for sick prisoners, assessing detainees and looking after officers and staff members who fell ill while on duty. He was also a GP at the Gloucester Road surgery in Bristol between 1962 and 1990.
The IPCC said: “It is alleged by a number of present and former Avon and Somerset officers and staff that Dr Bunting committed sexual offences against them. It is also alleged that when a number of officers came forward on separate occasions throughout the 1990s to complain about Dr Bunting, those complaints were not properly investigated by the force.
“In July this year, Avon and Somerset constabulary referred the allegations of sexual assault against Dr Bunting to the IPCC, which asked for more information to be able to determine the level of investigation required.”
Cindy Butts, the IPCC commissioner, said: “We have decided to independently investigate how the complaints made by serving officers about Dr Bunting were dealt with on several occasions in 1990 and 1995. The IPCC is not investigating the sexual assault allegations against Dr Bunting.”
