Senior Gwent Police officers could still face disciplinary action

A decision to pursue disciplinary action against two suspended senior Gwent Police officers following an allegation of sexual assault is still pending.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has confirmed that Chief Superintendent Mark Warrender and Chief Superintendent Marc Budden will not face criminal charges after an investigation by the Independent Office of Police Conduct and Avon and Somerset Police.

The two could could still face disciplinary proceedings though.

Chief Superintendent Warrender, who oversaw policing for Caerphilly, and Chief Superintendent Budden, who was the force’s temporary assistant chief constable, were both suspended in 2019.

It followed an incident in Cardiff on June 28, 2019, at the retirement party of former Gwent Police Chief Constable Julian Williams.

Caerphilly Observer understands that an allegation of sexual assault was made against Mr Warrender, while Mr Budden was suspended over an allegation of misconduct in a public office.

Avon and Somerset Police carried out an investigation on behalf of the IOPC which was completed in July 2019.

An IOPC spokesperson said: “We have been advised by the CPS of its decision not to bring any criminal charges against any Gwent Police officers over their conduct associated with a social event in Cardiff in June 2019.

“At the conclusion of the investigation, carried out by Avon and Somerset Police and directed by the IOPC, a full file of evidence was sent to the CPS for consideration last year. We will now be discussing with Gwent Police potential disciplinary proceedings.”

A CPS spokesperson said: “Following a referral of evidence by the IOPC regarding the alleged conduct on two senior police officers, the CPS has decided that our legal test is not met to charge them with any offence.

“We considered the offence of sexual assault against one officer, and the offences of misconduct in public office and the improper exercise of police powers against the second officer.

“The role of the CPS is to make fair and independent decisions based on the available evidence and the complainant has the right to seek a review of our decision under the CPS’s Victim’s Right to Review scheme.”

Mr Budden joined the police in 1993, and was in charge of neighbourhood policing, partnerships and uniform operations at Gwent Police before rising to temporary assistant chief constable.

Mr Warrender joined Gwent Police in 1996 and was the divisional commander for the force’s west policing area which covers Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Torfaen.