Former Northamptonshire Police officer charged with corruption

A former Northamptonshire Police officer is due to appear in court this week charged with corruption.

Oliver Binns, who has since resigned from the Force, will appear before Northampton Magistrates' Court on Friday (March 4) following a directed Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into his alleged abuse of police powers and privileges.

The Force referred the case to the IOPC in January 2021.

Supt Natalie Wignall, head of the Force’s Professional Standards Department, said: “Our counter-corruption unit carried out the IOPC-directed investigation following allegations that the officer had made inappropriate contact with a woman following her release from custody in 2020.

“This led to the Crown Prosecution Service authorising that he be charged with corrupt/improper exercise of police powers and privileges by a constable contrary to the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.

“Northamptonshire Police have also instigated internal misconduct processes that will be progressed upon conclusion of the wider criminal proceedings against him. The Force will be making no further comment at this stage.”