A senior crime investigator who oversaw EncroChat and County Lines operations is still suspended with a misconduct probe encountering "practical difficulties".
Nikki Holland is one of the UK's most senior crime fighters in her role as director of investigations at the National Crime Agency (NCA). Ms Holland and a junior colleague were both suspended in March 2022 following allegations of data protection breaches, bullying and misuse of public funds.
An investigation was launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following a referral by the NCA. A spokesperson for the police watchdog today told the ECHO the investigation into the allegations is ongoing, but due to "practical difficulties" has been split into two enquiries.
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The IOPC spokesperson said: "Our independent investigation into the allegations relating to the conduct of a senior NCA officer and another officer with the agency continues. In light of additional information uncovered as part of the investigation, we have re-determined that four of the allegations should be subject to a managed investigation, carried out by the NCA under our direction.
"Due to some of the practical difficulties involved, we decided the NCA was better placed to conduct this element of the investigation. Our independent investigation into the other allegations continues and the final decision will be taken by the IOPC in respect of both the independent and managed investigations.
"In terms of the allegations, we have communicated in the past that the IOPC's investigation includes allegations of data protection breaches, bullying and misuse of public funds."
Ms Holland, who has received the Queen's Policing Medal, began her career in Merseyside Police and rose through the ranks to become Assistant Chief Constable. According to the NCA's website, she led both Merseyside and South Wales Police Forces' Regional Organised Crime Units before her appointment as director of operations in April 2017.
Since working at the NCA Ms Holland led operations targeting the encrypted criminal communication platform EncroChat, as well as investigations into County Lines, kidnap and extortion and financial crime. Ms Holland is still listed as the director of investigations, but the ECHO understands she is suspended while the probe continues.
The ECHO approached the NCA for comment who declined to add to the IOPC's statement.
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