IPCC: Conclusion of first police misconduct hearing in public

Two Warwickshire police officers were today found guilty of a breach of the Police Code of Conduct at the first police misconduct hearing to be held in public.

The misconduct hearing panel comprised of three people one of whom was an independent (non police) member and the other two senior officers from outside forces.  The presiding officer, West Yorkshire Assistant Chief Constable David Crompton, today delivered their findings.  The panel found in all particulars that the breach of the Police Code of Conduct was proven for each officer, in relation to the conscientious and diligent performance of their duties.  PC Charlotte Hall and PC Theresa Cottingham were each fined 5 days' pay.  Both police officers do now have rights of review.

The outcome follows an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) into all of the actions of Warwickshire Police in the period leading up to the death of Colette Lynch on 3 February 2005.  In August 2006 the IPCC published the findings of this investigation which identified serious failings and key learning points for the force.

In response to our report, the force issued written warnings or management advice to a number of officers and police staff.

In June 2007, a staff misconduct hearing was held into the serious errors of a civilian supervisor in the force’s call centre, who, on two occasions closed down logs concerning the violent incident at Colette’s home on 1 February 2005.  This meant that a planned appointment to interview Colette on 2 February 2005 was cancelled without knowledge.  The panel issued a final written warning to remain on file permanently, and barred the employee from a supervisory role for 5 years.  The employee has since left the force.

In February 2007, using powers granted under the Police Reform Act 2002, the IPCC then directed Warwickshire Police to hold the first ever police misconduct hearing in public against two Warwickshire Police Officers.  This hearing commenced on Monday 5 November and has concluded today.

John Crawley, IPCC Commissioner for this case said:  The death of Colette Lynch was a terrible loss for all of those close to her.  We should never say that the inaction of police officers and staff on 1 February led to her death.   It is, however, vitally important that a serious and frightening incident of the kind committed on 1 February is always dealt with promptly and properly whenever a vulnerable person asks for assistance.

In the light of the gravity of the incident, it was therefore right that the IPCC used its powers to ensure the misconduct hearing against these two police officers was held in public.  It has given the public an opportunity to gain an insight into and understanding of the accountability of individual officers for their conduct

Individual accountability must of course be complemented by the essential reforms Warwickshire Police senior management was invited to put in place as a result of this case and our findings.  As a result, Warwickshire Police are implementing a detailed action plan which the force has shared with the IPCC and which is being monitored by the Police Authority.  The IPCC is keen to ensure that the lessons from such incidents are also shared more widely across the police service as a whole.  To this end the IPCC will ensure that the lessons learned from this case, which may be of value to other forces, are shared through its new national Learning the Lessons committee, on which police national bodies are represented.”

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Notes for editors:

Colette Lynch (aged 24) died of stab wounds following a disturbance in Garyth Williams Close, Rugby on 3 February 2005.  A 35-year-old man, Percy Wright, was arrested and charged with her murder. In August 2005, he was convicted of manslaughter on the ground of diminished responsibility and made subject to a hospital order under the Mental Health Act, to be detained at a secure psychiatric unit until he is no longer deemed a danger to the public.

The IPCC has overall responsibility for the police complaints system. Since April 2006 it has taken on responsibility for similar, serious complaints against HM Revenue and Customs and the Serious Organised Crime Agency in England and Wales.

The IPCC has the task of increasing public confidence in the complaint systems and aims to make investigations more open, timely, proportionate and fair.

The 16 Commissioners who run the IPCC guarantee its independence and by law can never have served as police officers. No Commissioner has worked for HM Revenue and Customs. They are supported by more than more than 200 independent IPCC investigators, casework managers and other specialists.

Since April 1 2004 the IPCC has used its powers to begin 171 independent and 533 managed investigations into the most serious complaints against the police. It has set new standards for police forces to improve the way the public's complaints are handled. The Commission also handles appeals by the public about the way their complaint was dealt with by the local force.

The IPCC is committed to getting closer to the communities it serves. Its Commissioners and staff are based in IPCC regional offices in Cardiff, Coalville, London and Sale plus a sub office in Wakefield.

The IPCC web site is constantly updated at www.ipcc.gov.uk or members of the public can contact the IPCC on 08453 002 002.

For further information please contact Ash Bower, Regional Communications Officer on 07717 851320.