Source · IOPC Learning Case

Man found dead after being reported missing - Cambridgeshire Constabulary, May 2018

Ref: 2018/103988 Recommended 16 May 2019 Response due 11 Jul 2019

Case background

Text published by the IOPC.

On 22 May 2018, a man was reported missing to Cambridgeshire Constabulary. Police were told he had made threats the previous morning to take his own life. The man was initially categorised as a high-risk missing person. After undertaking initial enquiries, police re-graded the man as a medium-risk missing person.

The following day, police were called as the man’s van had been located. A search resulted in the man being found dead. It appeared his death occurred by hanging.

During the investigation, we obtained accounts from all officers responsible for supervising the missing person report throughout the time the man was missing. We also obtained accounts from officers involved in searching for him. We examined relevant evidence, including airwave recordings and police records relating to the man being missing.

The initial raising of the grading to high-risk was decided on as police had limited information about the man at first. The decision to re-grade the man as a medium-risk missing person was made as he had been seen by witnesses after saying he wanted to kill himself. The rationale appeared considered, and was recorded in accordance with guidance.

Evidence showed that Cambridgeshire Constabulary immediately undertook a number of actions after the man was reported as missing, including custody and police national computer checks, and contacting his girlfriend to try to gain more information. They also attempted to locate his phone, and obtain search advice from specialist police services. Officers also conducted an address check and requested that vehicle checks should be undertaken on the man’s vehicle.

Based on the evidence available 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, or had committed a criminal offence.

In the course of our investigation, we identified some learning for Cambridgeshire Constabulary, which the force accepted (see below).

We completed our investigation in February 2019, but waited until the inquest into the man’s death had concluded, in autumn 2019, before publishing its outcome.

Recommendations and responses

3 indexed

Recommendation 1

Link to recommendation · Accepted

Addressed to: Cambridgeshire Constabulary

Linked bodies: Cambridgeshire Constabulary

IOPC recommendation

During an investigation into how Cambridgeshire Constabulary responded to a report of a missing person, the IOPC identified that officers were inconsistent in whether they recorded their handovers, reviews or actions taken in missing persons cases on the relevant COMPACT record. The information was either recorded elsewhere or not at all. The IOPC therefore recommends that Cambridgeshire Constabulary put in place a system for monitoring compliance with and adherence to the Missing Persons Manual of Standards so that any individual concerns about use of COMPACT can be addressed.

Response published by the IOPC

Do you accept the recommendation?

Yes

Accepted action:

The Manual of Standards clearly states that all enquiries in regards to a missing person should be recorded on Compact. Where fast time actions are being completed and the ability to update Compact is not reasonable, the system should be updated as soon as possible with what has been undertaken and the results. Where other systems are used due to the person being wanted for a crime this should be clearly annotated. This is only applicable for adults where it is thought that they have gone missing intentionally to avoid authorities. A monthly DIP sample procedure now takes place of 10 missing investigations per month. In addition each area has a designated SPOC who is checking missing investigations regularly and delivering guidance and learning.

Check the original case on the IOPC website

Recommendation 2

Link to recommendation · Accepted

Addressed to: Cambridgeshire Constabulary

Linked bodies: Cambridgeshire Constabulary

IOPC recommendation

The IOPC recommends that Cambridgeshire Constabulary should amend its Missing Persons Manual of Standards to ensure that a record is made where officers are unable to progress missing persons enquiries. Creating a record of why enquires were not progressed will avoid unnecessary duplication of work and allow for more accurate risk-assessments in lengthier cases.

Response published by the IOPC

Do you accept the recommendation?

Yes

Accepted action:

Following the IOPC recommendation the following information has been added into the Manual of Standards 2.5 Staffing and Resourcing of Incidents document. The officer in overall command of a missing person investigation will utilise resources under their command. In cases requiring a larger scale deployment of officers or the use of specialist support, the officer leading the investigation should consider seeking the use of force-wide resources via the Force DMM. Details of specialists available are found in Appendix 1. Where the progression of a missing investigation has been hampered due to other more high risk incidents, supervisors should clearly document what staffing demands they have had. Creating a record of why enquires were not progressed will avoid unnecessary duplication of work and allow for more accurate risk-assessments in lengthier cases.

Check the original case on the IOPC website

Recommendation 3

Link to recommendation · Accepted

Addressed to: Cambridgeshire Constabulary

Linked bodies: Cambridgeshire Constabulary

IOPC recommendation

Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s Missing Persons Manual of Standards requires a system called COMPACT to be used to record information relating to missing persons. An IOPC investigation found that officers were also using a separate system called OneNote. Entries on OneNote can be deleted, altered or lost and the system is not auditable. The IOPC recommends that Cambridgeshire Constabulary makes clear in guidance how OneNote may be used in conjunction with COMPACT. It should be clear that OneNote does not replace recording information on COMPACT and provide assurance that all information relevant to a missing persons case is recorded in an auditable, accessible way to ensure officers and managers are able to make fully informed decisions and risk assessments. Guidance on the use of OneNote should also include information on how it is used for handover between night shift and day shift to ensure information is not lost.

Response published by the IOPC

Do you accept the recommendation?

Yes

Accepted action:

Following the IOPC recommendation the below guidance has been added within the Missing Persons Manual of Standards document: 2.4 Management Of Investigation All actions, updates and investigation notes for a missing person enquiry must be recorded on Compact in a timely fashion. Where a decision is made not to undertake an enquiry or it is delayed due to resource difficulties this should also be documented and an explanation provided of the reasons. The use of one-note should only be used to assist DMM briefings not to record actions and information obtained. One-note should provide an overview of the individuals risk and what enquiries remain outstanding. It should list all missing persons in that district, recording name, age, length of time missing, risk level, date of last supervisor review. This is to provide senior management with an insight of demand and for them to check that the risk level is appropriate and reviews are taking place appropriately.

Check the original case on the IOPC website