Response to missing person’s report - West Midlands Police, December 2017

West Midlands Police received a report of a missing person on 7 December 2017. The caller informed the police that the missing man had issues with misusing alcohol and was depressed, and that his behaviour was out of character. The force opened a missing person’s record. Police made efforts to search for the missing man but, unfortunately, he was found dead on 27 December 2017.

During the investigation, investigators obtained accounts from the officers, interviewed a witness, and reviewed the policies and procedures for missing persons. Two members of police staff were served with a notice of investigation in relation to the procedure they followed following the missing person’s report. Both members of police staff were interviewed in relation to this.

After the man was reported missing, there were some delays in deploying an officer to investigate. Evidence showed that, after that, the police conducted searches in numerous areas despite being hindered by severe weather conditions. In spite of the initial delay, it is most likely that the man was already dead by the time he was reported missing.

At the end of the investigation, we found no indication that any person serving with the police may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings.