Response to concern for welfare reports - South Yorkshire Police, March 2017

On 14 March 2017 a woman contacted South Yorkshire Police (SYP) as she was concerned for her neighbour’s welfare, given that she had not seen him for a period of time. Officers from SYP went to the man’s home and were unable to make contact with him. Further calls were made by the man’s friends and family over a two-day period and two more SYP officers went to the man’s home, but with no success.

The Yorkshire Ambulance Service was called and gained entry to the property with the assistance of Yorkshire Fire and Rescue. The man was found dead in his home.

During the investigation, investigators interviewed four police officers and spoke to a control room operator under the misconduct caution. We obtained witness statements from members of the public, the Yorkshire Ambulance Service and Yorkshire Fire and Rescue.

The investigator formed the opinion that there was sufficient evidence upon which a reasonable tribunal, properly directed, could find a case to answer for misconduct for two of the police officers for failing to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry in locating the man and failing to adequately consider the risk factors known to them; and for a third officer for their actions when going to the man’s home on 15 March.

After reviewing our report, SYP agreed that the officers had breached their standards of responsibility and that there was significant learning for all three officers. They proposed to deal with this through management action so that officers can reflect on the learning from this investigation and develop their skills in relation to this area.

We agreed that their proposals were appropriate in the circumstances.