Watchdog reopens probe into contact with Nottingham attacks killer

Watchdog reopens probe into contact with Nottingham attacks killer

An inquiry into the interaction police had with the perpetrator of the Nottingham attacks has been reopened following the emergence of “significant new information.” Valdo Calocane was accused of assaulting two colleagues at a warehouse in Leicestershire approximately five weeks before he fatally stabbed Ian Coates, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, and Barnaby Webber in Nottingham on June 13, 2023. Three officers were set to attend a misconduct meeting, but this was later delayed by Leicestershire Police.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) revealed that the force had presented “new evidence, which had not previously been available to the IOPC.” This development in the investigation unfolded weeks after the confirmation that a judge-led public inquiry will be conducted into the Nottingham attacks. Additionally, a probe into the NHS’s handling of Calocane’s case uncovered significant shortcomings, with an independent report determining that “the system got it wrong.”

In February 2024, the IOPC announced the commencement of an investigation into Leicestershire Police’s dealings with Calocane, a process that was finalized in September of the same year. The families of the victims of the Nottingham attacks had expressed dissatisfaction with the IOPC’s efforts, labeling them as “flawed, rushed, and incomplete.” Derrick Campbell, director of the IOPC, emphasized that for a case to be reopened by the organization, it must fulfill specific criteria, including the emergence of crucial new information warranting further scrutiny.

Campbell stressed the necessity of transparency and openness in the investigations, with the organization committing to thorough analysis of the new evidence and outcomes before reaching a decision on the disciplinary measures. Dr. Sanjoy Kumar, father of Ms. O’Malley-Kumar, underscored the importance of laying out all the facts for a comprehensive understanding, cautioning against hasty actions that could potentially mask deficiencies or conceal truths. He reiterated the family’s demand for transparency and urged for a meticulous approach to ensure accountability and justice

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