Families of Nottingham attack victims call misconduct proceedings a ‘farce’ and seek delay due to police shortcomings.
The IOPC report said police failed to properly investigate Calocane. The prior assault involved warehouse workers. They think a proper investigation could have stopped the murders. The report led to a misconduct meeting. It isn’t a more serious misconduct hearing. Officers may receive a written warning.
Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates are victims. Their families say the report has issues. They noted “inconsistencies” and “vital omissions.” They want Wednesday’s misconduct meeting postponed.
Calocane allegedly punched a man and pushed a woman. This happened at a Kegworth warehouse on May 5, 2023. The families want to meet with Leicestershire Police’s senior team. They said no one has contacted them.
Families were invited to attend Wednesday’s proceedings. They’re in a separate room with only an audio link. They believe the meeting is flawed, hasty, and incomplete. It relates to officers’ failures after the May 2023 incident.
The families signed non-disclosure agreements concerning the IOPC investigation and evidence. They find the details shocking. They feel the IOPC’s work falls short. The investigation needs improvements, as areas remain unexplored.
The families raised concerns with the IOPC last November. They said their questions went largely unanswered. The families question how the misconduct meeting can proceed. They say the watchdog needs to gather the truth impartially.
They asked for postponement until full disclosure occurs. They will attend the meeting if their request fails. The invitation wasn’t openly extended; it came after requests via their legal team. They will have minimal representation.
Families said no senior Leicestershire Police leader has contacted them. The crime commissioner also failed to reach out. They want a meeting after Wednesday. Police haven’t acknowledged this request yet.
A statutory inquiry may happen soon. The matter will again be raised at that point. Families find it sad the police force behaves poorly. They only seek the truth about what happened. It isn’t a witch hunt. People who failed should admit it.
They must provide full candor and be held accountable for their actions. An IOPC spokesman said they finished their probe last September. Three officers should attend misconduct meetings, they said. They won’t comment further until meetings happen. Leicestershire Police has been approached for comment.