A police chief under investigation for allegedly making sexist remarks was found dead at his home today.
David Ainsworth, 49, deputy chief constable of Wiltshire Police, was removed from his duties last year over an ”internal staff issue”.
It believed that up to 24 allegations had been made against the £110,000-a-year officer, mostly by women in the force.
Among the claims are allegations that he looked at a woman wearing a tailored blouse and remarked ”nice buttons”.
He was found dead at his home yesterday morning and police confirmed the death was not being treated as suspicious.
A statement issued by Wiltshire Police said: ”We can confirm that Wiltshire Police Deputy Chief Constable David Ainsworth was found dead at his home this morning.
”Our thoughts are very much with David’s family and friends as they come to terms with the news.
”We are offering them our full support.
”David’s death is not being treated as suspicious at this time. The news of his death is clearly a shock to Wiltshire Police and the appropriate support is being offered to staff.
”As a mark of respect, the force flag at our headquarters is being flown at half mast.”
The high-ranking officer, who was separated from his wife, joined Wiltshire from Kent Constabulary in 2008, where he was assistant chief constable and served for 22 years.
He was nicknamed ‘The Brain’ by colleagues because of his high intellect.
As the Association of Chief Police Officers’ spokesman on vehicle crime, he was an active advocate of the use of speed cameras.
Mr Ainsworth was moved to the Forensic Science Service in Birmingham after the allegations surfaced in September last year.
Wiltshire Police Authority was in the process of investigating the claims.
The authority’s chief executive, Kieran Kilgallen, said previously: ”We requested an independent investigation by another force into allegations about the conduct of Deputy Chief Constable David Ainsworth that relates to an internal staff issue.
”South Wales Police started the investigation some time ago and it is continuing. It would not be appropriate to comment further while the process is ongoing.”
Wiltshire Police has voluntarily informed the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) about his death.
