IPCC to investigate the circumstances leading to the death of a 87-year-old Polish man

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is to investigate the circumstances leading up to the death of Mr Hipolit Konrad Legowski from Shifnal, near Telford, Shropshire, whose body was found in Hartland, Bideford on 30 July 2008.

87-year-old Mr Legowski, of Polish origin, had been taken to Barnstaple Police Station on 27 July following concern for his welfare. He was medically assessed by a doctor and subsequently allowed to go on his way.

On 28 July, a member of the public at Umberleigh, Devon, reported that he had an elderly male with him who appeared slightly disabled and confused. The police closed the call log without attending.

On 29 July, the log was re-opened at approximately 10pm following the circulation of a missing person report by West Mercia Police. Devon and Cornwall Constabulary then started searching for Mr Legowski and found his body in fields at Hartland, Bideford at approximately 8pm on 30 July.

A post-mortem has been held and death was by natural causes.

IPCC Commissioner Rebecca Marsh said: “My thoughts are with Mr Legowski’s family and friends at this difficult time. The IPCC has been in contact with his family and have explained why we are investigating the circumstances leading to his death.

“The IPCC investigation will also look at the contact the force had with Mr Legowski on 27 and 28 July and will assess whether it was proportionate and within force policy and training.

“The investigation will be carried out by investigators from Devon and Cornwall Constabulary’s professional standards department under the direction and control of the IPCC.”

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Notes for editors

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’s jurisdiction was extended in 2008 to cover UK Border Agency staff exercising police-like powers.

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 15 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 100 independent IPCC investigators plus casework managers and other specialists.

Since April 1 2004 the IPCC has used its powers to begin 264 independent and 663 managed investigations into the most serious complaints against the police and other agencies. 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:

Regional Communications Officer David Nicholson on 02920 245464/07717 851 223. For urgent out-of-hours enquiries would journalists please call the IPCC duty press officer on 07717 851 157.