Response to reports of abuse and assault - Greater Manchester Police, May 2017
On 11 May 2017, a woman contacted Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to report that her son had been racially abused. Arrangements were made for a police community support officer (PCSO) to visit the woman within the next few days. Before the PCSO’s scheduled visit, both the woman and her son re-contacted GMP and reported that he had been assaulted, in addition to being racially abused. This information was recorded on GMP’s computer system. However, when the PCSO visited the woman and her son they did not take any further action, or record a crime, in relation to the allegation of an assault. Furthermore, two officers also reviewed the incident and continued to close it without taking any further action or recording a crime of assault.
On 3 August 2017, the woman reported a further assault on her son. While this was being investigated, another report of assault was received in relation to the same man on 7 August 2017. GMP investigated both assaults, resulting in the arrest of suspects for them both
The PCSO and two officers were served with notices alleging that they failed to take any further action, or record a crime, in relation to the allegation of assault which occurred on 11 May 2017.
During the investigation, investigators obtained accounts from some of the call handlers who took calls in relation to the incident on 11 May 2017, and also reviewed the corresponding incident reports. The PCSO and officers under notice also provided responses to their notices, either by written response or interview.
Based on the evidence available, we were of the opinion that the PCSO and two officers had a case to answer for misconduct, but that management action would be a more appropriate way of dealing with this than formal disciplinary proceedings.
After reviewing our report GMP agreed to deal with this through learning and reflection for all three officers. They will also refer our investigation report to their Organisational Learning Board for full consideration around the highlighted areas of safeguarding and vulnerability.