Between September 2016 and February 2017, a woman and her friends and family contacted Staffordshire Police a number of times about the woman’s ex-partner, who, they alleged, was harassing the woman and members of her friends and family.
The first contact, on 21 September 2016, was made to Staffordshire Police by a friend of the woman, expressing concerns about her ex-partner threatening to “put a bullet in someone”. Her ex-partner spoke to the control room operator and said he wanted to report that the woman had been the victim of a serious offence. Police officers were dispatched and spoke separately to the woman and her ex-partner, but the woman said she did not want to report the offence. Police completed a domestic abuse risk assessment and made a referral to a third party support agency.
In the following months, a number of contacts were made with Staffordshire Police by various parties, expressing concern for the woman. A support agency made contact with Staffordshire Police in October 2016 expressing concern about the number of contacts the woman was receiving from her ex-partner.
The woman was placed in a refuge in Cleveland in October 2016. She had contact with police in October, expressing concern for her ex-husband, as her ex-partner was making threats against him. Staffordshire Police also received contact from Cleveland Police, expressing concern that the woman’s ex-partner was trying to locate her.
The woman obtained a non-molestation order (NMO) against her ex-partner in November 2016.
The woman reported three breaches of the NMO during November. She also reported that her ex-partner had attempted to get messages to her via third parties and harassed her via social media.
The woman, her ex-husband and her adult son, as well as a friend, all reported unsolicited contact from her ex-partner during December 2016 and January 2017. The woman also reported malicious emails being sent to her ex-husband.
The woman attempted suicide in January 2017. Police were alerted to this after her ex-husband contacted them to say he had been unable to get in touch with her.
The woman’s ex-partner was arrested in February 2017, but was released on bail. The woman contacted police on 4 February 2017 to report a further breach of the NMO.
Two of the woman’s friends, having been unable to contact her, went to her house on 22 February. She was found dead from hanging. Her ex-partner was subsequently arrested and charged with harassment, coercive and controlling behaviour in an intimate or family relationship, and manslaughter. He pleaded guilty to the charges against him in July 2017.
Staffordshire Police referred this matter to the IOPC as a ‘death and serious injury’ referral on 28 February 2017. Subsequently, a friend of the woman and a member of her family separately complained about the way Staffordshire Police had handled various contacts with the woman in the run-up to her death. This additional referral was sent to us in March 2017.
We examined documentation from 34 connected contacts by the woman or her ex-partner which had been made with police between September 2016 and February 2017. This included police incident logs and crime records, statements given by the woman and various other parties, domestic abuse risk assessments and multi-agency documentation. We obtained statements from the complainants, police witnesses and other people who knew the woman. We conducted a detailed analysis of every police interaction with the woman, her friends and her family.
We analysed the actions of all the police officers and police staff members against policies, guidance, other accounts, and the police standards of professional behaviour relevant to their roles.
We were of the opinion there was an indication that an officer may have behaved in a manner which justified the bringing of disciplinary proceedings. This was because they had taken a decision not to arrest the woman’s ex-partner when he was in breach of his non-molestation order, after assessing that the woman appeared to have gone out willingly with him. Additionally, a number of complaints were raised about incivility and advice given that caused evidence to be lost, which related specifically to this officer.
That officer retired from Staffordshire Police in March 2018. However, the investigation found that their performance had been unsatisfactory in making the decision not to arrest the woman’s ex-partner.
A number of issues were also identified as unsatisfactory performance for other officers. This included a failure to record a crime; a failure to take appropriate steps following an application for disclosure under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme; a number of failures to complete mandatory domestic abuse risk assessments with the woman; and a failure to adequately recognise a breach of the NMO.
In total, the investigation made recommendations that seven officers and one member of police staff should receive management action.
We were also of the opinion that there had been inconsistencies in when incidents and crimes were linked on police systems. This had made it more difficult for staff and officers to appreciate the nature and scale of the ex-partner’s offending. Similarly, there had been a failure to consistently conduct lateral research and checks when incidents were reported. We recommended that this should be addressed by way of immediate training for all staff in the call centre environment.
We completed our investigation in February 2019.
After reviewing our report, Staffordshire Police agreed with our opinions and recommendations, and confirmed that all eight officers and police staff would receive management action. The force also agreed to carry out training in line with our recommendations.
An act of parliament that provides the core framework of police powers to combat crime and provide codes of practice for the exercise of these powers.
Leads and manages the development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The body that represents the interests of all police constables, sergeants, and inspectors.
Deals with someone’s inability or failure to perform to a satisfactory level, but without breaching the Standards of Professional Behaviour.
Focuses on putting an issue right and preventing it from happening again by encouraging those involved to reflect on their actions and learn. It is not a disciplinary process or a disciplinary outcome.
Department within a police force that deals with complaints and conduct matters.
Refers to lower-level misconduct or performance-related issues, which are dealt with in a proportionate and constructive manner.
This means doing what is appropriate in the circumstances, taking into account the facts and the context in which the complaint has been raised, within the framework of legislation and guidance.
The average is calculated using the individual results of the forces in that most similar force group.
An investigation carried out by IOPC staff.
Carried out by the police under their own direction and control. The IOPC sets the terms of reference and receives the investigation report when it is complete. Complainants have a right of appeal following a supervised investigation (unless it is an investigation into a direction and control matter).
This act sets out how the police complaints system operates.
How a police force is run, for example policing standards or policing policy.
An investigation carried out by the police under the direction and control of the IOPC.
The organisation that is responsible for assessing how to deal with a complaint. For example – whether it can be handled locally or reaches the criteria for referral to the IOPC. The appropriate authority may be the chief officer of the police force or the PCC for the force. If a complaint investigation finds that someone has a case to answer for misconduct, the appropriate authority is responsible for arranging any misconduct proceedings. If you make a complaint, the appropriate authority for your case will contact you.
An intelligence-led agency with law enforcement powers, it is also responsible for reducing the harm that is caused to people and communities by serious organised crime.
Policing bodies include police and crime commissioners, the Common Council for the City of London, or the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime.
Investigations carried out entirely by the police. Complainants have a right of appeal following a local investigation (unless it is an investigation into a direction and control matter).
IOPC guidance to the police service and police authorities on the handling of complaints.
A complaint or recordable conduct matter that doesn’t need to be referred to the IOPC, but where the seriousness or circumstances justifies referral.
Parameters within which an investigation is conducted.
A person is adversely affected if he or she suffers any form of loss or damage, distress or inconvenience, if he or she is put in danger or is otherwise unduly put at risk of being adversely affected.
This is where a manager deals with the way someone has behaved. It can include: showing the police officer or member of staff how their behaviour fell short of expectations set out in the Standards of Professional Behaviour; identifying expectations for future conduct; or addressing any underlying causes of misconduct.
This could be the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Common Council for the City of London, or the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime.
A flexible process for dealing with complaints that can be adapted to the needs of the complainant. It may involve, for example, providing information and an explanation, an apology, or a meeting between the complainant and the officer involved.
A flexible process for dealing with complaints that can be adapted to the needs of the complainant. It may involve, for example, providing information and an explanation, an apology, or a meeting between the complainant and the officer involved.
A breach of standards of professional behaviour by police officers or staff so serious it could justify their dismissal.
A matter where no complaint has been received, but where there is an indication that a person serving with the police may have committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner that would justify disciplinary proceedings.
Disapplication means that a police force may handle a complaint in whatever way it thinks fit, including not dealing with it under complaints legislation. This may only happen in certain circumstances where the complaint fits one or more of the grounds for disapplication set out in law.
The ending of an ongoing investigation into a complaint, conduct matter or DSI matter. An investigation may only be discontinued if it meets one or more of the grounds for discontinuance set out in law.
Quarter 1 covers 1 April - 30 June
Quarter 2 covers 1 April - 30 September
Quarter 3 covers 1 April - 31 December
Quarter 4 covers the full financial year (1 April - 31 March).
You can request a review/appeal if you’re not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled.
Used to house anyone who has been detained.
Complainants have the right to appeal to the IOPC if a police force did not record their complaint or notify the correct police force if it was made originally to the wrong force.
The purpose of an investigation is to establish the facts behind a complaint, conduct matter, or DSI matter and reach conclusions. An investigator looks into matters and produces a report that sets out and analyses the evidence. There are three types of investigations: local, directed and independent.
The ending of an ongoing investigation into a complaint, conduct matter or DSI matter. An investigation may only be discontinued if it meets one or more of the grounds for discontinuance set out in law.
The type of behaviour being complained about. A single complaint case can have one or many allegations attached.
A person who makes a complaint about the conduct of someone serving with the police.
The ending of an ongoing investigation into a complaint, conduct matter or DSI matter. An investigation may only be discontinued if it meets one or more of the grounds for discontinuance set out in law.
List of officers and staff who have been dismissed from policing, or would have been if they had not retired or resigned.
The type of behaviour being complained about. A single complaint case can have one or many allegations attached.
Disapplication means that a police force may handle a complaint in whatever way it thinks fit, including not dealing with it under complaints legislation. This may only happen in certain circumstances where the complaint fits one or more of the grounds for disapplication set out in law.
An independent judicial officer, the coroner enquires into deaths reported to him/her.
A breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour that would justify at least a written warning.
No further action may be taken with regard to a complaint if the complainant decides to retract their allegation(s).
A record is made of a complaint, giving it formal status as a complaint under the Police Reform Act 2002.
This is a format where information is written in plain English and short sentences.
The IOPC must be notified about specific types of complaint or incidents to be able to decide how they should be dealt with.
No further action may be taken with regard to a complaint if the complainant decides to retract their allegation(s).
Casework involves assessing appeals. Casework staff also have a role in overseeing the police complaints system to help ensure police forces handle complaints in the best possible way.
Disapplication means that a police force may handle a complaint in whatever way it thinks fit, including not dealing with it under complaints legislation. This may only happen in certain circumstances where the complaint fits one or more of the grounds for disapplication set out in law.
Conduct includes acts, omissions, statements and decisions (whether actual, alleged or inferred). For example: language used and the manner or tone of communications.
You can request a review/appeal if you’re not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled.
You can request a review/appeal if you’re not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled.
