IPCC discloses findings of investigation into death of Stephen Reilly

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) can today disclose the findings of its independent investigation into the actions of Northamptonshire Police officers following the death of Mr Stephen Reilly, a 38-year-old man from Towcester.

Following complaints about the actions of Northamptonshire Police from both an ambulance staff member and Mr Stephen Reilly’s father, the IPCC decided to undertake an independent investigation into the actions of officers on the day Mr Reilly died.  The investigation established that:

• At 12.33am on 27 June 2007, a member of the public contacted South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) stating that a man (now known to be Stephen Reilly) had threatened to kill himself;  
• Two ambulance staff were immediately deployed to the incident and concerned for the welfare of colleagues, the ambulance telephone operator contacted Northamptonshire Police requesting assistance - the operator confirmed the crew would ‘stand back’ until police arrived;
• At 12.38am the police call taker endorsed the call grading it as Grade 1 (highest level);
• Shortly after the ambulance crew arrived near the address and parked to await the arrival of the police;
• The incident was acknowledged at the Force Control Room at 12.41am and at this time police contact SCAS to ascertain why this call is deemed as Grade 1.  Following this, and unable to identify risks requiring a Grade 1 response, police reassess the call to Grade 4;
• The ambulance crew attend the premises at 12.54am, are unable to gain entry and contact the police, requesting further assistance;
• Due to failings in the force software and internal processes for reviewing the grading of calls, there was then a delay in regraded the incident until 1.20am and in the interim ambulance crew took the decision to force entry to the premises;
• After taking some time to identify suitable resources to attend the scene officers eventually arrived at Mr Reilly’s address at 1.44am where Mr Reilly’s body had been discovered moments before their arrival;
• Incorrect and inaccurate information was passed by the Coroners Office to Mr Reilly’s family following Stephen Reilly’s death.

The investigation concluded that:

• The initial grading of the original 999 at 12.30am on 27 June 2007 as ‘emergency grade 1’ was correct;
• Following a police call handler’s subsequent contact with the ambulance service, it was identified that Mr Reilly posed no threat.  At this point the police call handler downgraded the incident to Grade 4 and the rationale for doing this was correct at this time;
• At 12.55am when the ambulance service provided further information, there was a failing by the force control room to keep the grading of this incident under review and respond accordingly;
• The software used for sending urgent internal messages within the Control room was not working correctly and had not done so for some time.

Following this investigation, two members of police staff received words of advice for failures to comply with guidance on the grading and monitoring of incidents.  A third received words of advice for failing to provide the Reilly family with accurate information following Mr Reilly’s death.

Amerdeep Somal, IPCC Commissioner said: “On the night Mr Reilly took his own life, it is clear there was a breakdown in the support offered by Northamptonshire Police to the ambulance service.  Errors by staff in the way calls were assessed and graded and shortcomings in the internal electronic systems supporting service delivery all contributed to this.  

“I am pleased to say that following this investigation the IPCC were able to make a number of recommendations to Northamptonshire Police including improvements in training and support for communications supervisory staff.  I have recommended to the force that they revise their Incident Grade Response and Deployment Policy to improve the use of internal systems for the transfer of critical messages and downgrading of incidents in light of our findings.  I have also recommended they consider the introduction of a risk assessment matrix to assist in the deployment of resources where there is a threat to life.

“As part of my guardianship role, I will continue to monitor the Force’s implementation of our recommendations.  

“It is always extremely sad when someone takes their own life. I hope that our findings and the conclusion of the inquest into Stephen Reilly’s death today will provide his family with some of the answers they have been seeking.”

The inquest into the death of Stephen Reilly concluded today with HM Coroner for Northampton, Anne Pember, returned a narrative verdict stating "Stephen Reilly died of hanging through the mechanism of vagal inhibition.”.

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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.

From 1 April 2004 to 31 July 2008 the IPCC has used its powers to begin 282 independent and 677 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 Ash Bower, Regional Communications Officer on 01530 258774 or 07717 851320.  Journalists with an urgent media enquiry about an incident outside normal office hours should contact the on-call press officer on 07717 851157.