PSNI failed to adhere to their own guidelines in Katie Simpson murder case
Woman who fraudulently claimed £16k in benefits will ‘spend the rest of her life’ paying it back
The PSNI’s catastrophic handling of Katie Simpson’s murder investigation has been compared to others, but few if any come close, and a recently discovered Police Ombudsman report has added further concerns around failure to adhere to guidelines for dealing with sudden deaths.
When errors were partially detailed last November, PSNI swiftly reverted to the all too common, “lessons have been learned.”
The same words came during a Policing Board meeting a few months beforehand and will no doubt regularly echo throughout the multiple reviews and investigations currently underway.
Exactly one year since truth died with Jonathan Creswell’s suicide 24 hours into his trial questions mount around the PSNI’s gross mishandling and the conduct of officers, including some of senior rank.
While the Ombudsman tackles three new serious complaints, the PSNI is witnessing an exodus of officers under investigation which the Chief Constable is powerless to prevent.
Having confirmed five officers have retired so far, the PSNI stonewalled when asked why none were suspended given the severity of the complaints, which may involve criminal misconduct.
Although this can proceed even if an officer has retired, it’s ultimately a PSNI decision.
Yet there is supposed to be reassurance couched as ‘lessons learned’.
In reality, learning is theoretical and rendered worthless unless properly practiced.
The outworkings are miscarriages of justice, re-traumatised victims and steadily festering confidence in authorities.
When those failing to apply the ‘lessons learned’ remain unaccountable, or as in Creswell’s case, permitted to walk, any remaining trust flounders.
Since the formation of the PSNI nothing comes close to the Creswell case, save perhaps Colin Howell and Hazel Stuart.
Albeit pre-PSNI, Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan’s deaths were closed as suicides when it was a double murder in domestic circumstances – two obvious factors in Katie’s case.
The Ombudsman’s report was scathing with the investigation likewise hampered by officers leaving.
But ‘lessons were learned’.
However an incident in 2010 really set the benchmark, leading PSNI to issue guidelines for all future sudden deaths.
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