Essex Police were passed information which suggested Martin Goldberg had bought videos of naked boys several months before they paid him a visit, it has emerged.
Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said suspicions that he had bought the material online originally came from Canada. Police in Toronto then told Essex Police in late November last year.
Essex Police officers first visited him on September 9.
Mr Alston said his first impressions were that something "had gone badly wrong here".
He said: "It is important that we understand why it took nine months for the force to act on this information. There may be valid reasons but we deserve an explanation.
"I am greatly concerned to learn that evidence gathered by Essex Police strongly suggests that Martin Goldberg was covertly filming boys at various locations, including a public swimming bath.
"I am a parent and a grandparent, and I share the shock, concern and anger that people in our communities are feeling about Goldberg's behaviour.
"Essex Police is still investigating the extent of Goldberg's activity, and I understand there is currently no evidence of child abuse involving physical contact.
He added: "There is also currently no evidence that photographs that he took were shared with other people. I am thankful for both those reassurances but taking photographs or filming video of naked or partially naked young boys is a clear and absolute violation. This is abusive behaviour.
"Essex Police has referred aspects of this case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, and I expect the independent watchdog to investigate thoroughly and rigorously. It would be wrong of me to pre-empt the findings of that investigation, but my initial judgement is that it is likely that something has gone badly wrong here, including possibly in the original assessment and review by CEOP.
