IPCC investigation findings following death of Keith Brown
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has concluded its independent investigation into Staffordshire Police following the death of Mr Keith Brown.
Having returned from collecting his children from school on 6 July 2007, Mr Keith Brown became involved in a dispute with his adjoining neighbours. Shortly after 4pm police officers were called and attended the address in the Normacot area of Stoke-on-Trent. Mr Brown had sustained a fatal stab wound. His neighbour Mr Habib Khan was convicted of the manslaughter of Keith Brown on 23 May 2008 and sentenced to eight years imprisonment on 29 August.
In the five years prior to Mr Brown’s death Staffordshire Police had had repeated contact with both the Brown and Khan families concerning an ongoing neighbour dispute.
The IPCC independent investigation considered complaints made by both families and examined the circumstances surrounding police contact with both Mr Brown and Mr Khan in the time leading up to the death of Mr Brown on 6 July 2007. It additionally considered police contact with other family members and third party representatives.
The IPCC were unable to substantiate any of the claims made by the Brown or Khan families relating to the manner in which they were treated by Staffordshire Police. However one officer received advice relating to a failure to recognise the need to consider all the history between the two parties when considering an appropriate strategy.
Len Jackson, IPCC Commissioner said: Our independent investigation was unable to substantiate allegations of failures by Staffordshire Police. Furthermore, the investigation findings published today indicate that the actions taken by the force were proportionate and appropriate, given the information and options available to the police on each occasion they were contacted.
The evidence suggests that on a number of occasions Staffordshire Police attempted to resolve the issues between Mr Brown and Mr Khan. However no-one could have anticipated that this long running neighbour dispute would have such a tragic outcome.”
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Notes for editors:
The IPCC investigation report into the circumstances surrounding the death of Keith Brown can be found at http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/index/resources/evidence_reports/investigation_reports.htm.
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.
Media contact:
Ian Christon, IPCC Regional Communciations Officer (North Region) Tel 0161 246 8582 Journalists with urgent enquiries outside normal office hours should contact the on-call press officer on 07717 851157