Families slam a report on police failures before Valdo Calocane killed three in Nottingham. They cite poor procedure and secrecy.
The IOPC investigated police actions before the attacks, focusing on a Valdo Calocane assault. Calocane attacked workers in Kegworth in May 2023, just weeks before the June killings. The IOPC found failures but saw no need to learn, and families thought the investigation was poor.
Families worry about attending a disciplinary meeting involving officers in the IOPC report. It will be private, without media or officer names, which raises concerns about transparency. Calocane’s police interactions are still questioned. Families feel excluded from a secret meeting.
Families are unhappy with the whole process again, limited in what they can say. An NDA restricts their comments about the details, even though they know the IOPC investigation details. They believe its quality is very poor, and they told IOPC and police about their concerns. So far, police have not addressed these concerns.
The families may only view the meeting remotely, and the officer’s identity will be hidden too. This increases their questions about secrecy. An officer was named publicly for a WhatsApp message at a hearing for a different matter. The families hope a public inquiry will reveal the truth.
PC Matt Gell searched for attack details even though he wasn’t involved. He shared data and accessed Calocane’s private information. He faced accusations of misconduct at a hearing and was found guilty of gross misconduct.
The police gave Gell only a written warning, and they acknowledged his “culpability” mattered there. Leicestershire Police officers will also get warnings; the maximum punishment is a final written warning for them.
Police Deputy Chief Constable Sandall offered condolences to the families. Police attended an assault in Kegworth, May 5, 2023. The suspect was later identified as Valdo Calocane. He was arrested after the Nottingham attacks.
The force referred the Kegworth case to the IOPC in February of last year and fully supported the IOPC investigation. They analyzed the findings and recommendations carefully. A misconduct meeting will now happen with officers.
The meeting involves three Leicestershire police officers. Two are constables, and one is a sergeant. It will be private, for interested parties only. The families are discussing attendance arrangements. The meeting is closed to the public and media.
Natalie Fahy called the private hearing a “disgrace,” citing “multiple failings” regarding Calocane. Police need to be transparent. Open hearings could regain public trust. Hiding the hearings suggests something is being concealed.
Misconduct meetings are different from gross misconduct hearings, the latter would usually be public. An IOPC spokesperson stated their Kegworth case probe ended and three officers will face misconduct meetings soon. The IOPC shared its report with the families affected. The IOPC anticipates to publicly publish their report after proceedings finish.