IPCC - Independent Police Complaints Commission

09/14/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/14/2021 09:59

Investigation into West Yorkshire Police actions prior to quadruple fatal collision found officers acted appropriately

An Independent Office for Police Conduct(IOPC) investigationinto the actions of West Yorkshire Police prior to a collision in Bradford in which four men died found that officers acted in accordance with policy and procedures.

Murtza Chaudhry, aged 21, Arbaaz Hussain also aged 21, Zeeshan Khalid, aged 20 and Tayyab Siddique, aged 22 all died when their car, a grey BMW, hit a tree on Toller Lane in the early hours of 2 August 2018.

Before the crash, officers were concerned about the manner in which the car was being driven on Stony Lane. A short pursuit began after the BMW failed to stop for officers in an unmarked police car which had turned on its lights and sirens. The police car arrived at the collision scene approximately 11 seconds after the impact.

Our investigationexamined:

◾In-car footage from the unmarked police car and audio transmissions between the officers and police control room
◾Detailed accounts from the officers in the unmarked police car
◾Accounts from a number of witnesses, and
◾Local CCTV from the scene.

All officers were treated as witnesses throughout the IOPC investigation. The investigationfound that the appropriately trained, advanced police driver's decision to engage in a pursuit after the failure to stop, and the continued risk assessment undertaken by officers during the pursuit, were in line with force and national policies.

IOPC Regional Director Miranda Biddle said: 'This was an appalling tragedy, and my thoughts remain with the bereaved families and everyone affected. I would particularly like to reiterate my thanks to the men's families and the police officers involved for their engagement throughout our investigation, which enabled our team to conclude their work as promptly as possible. The available evidence shows that the two officers in the unmarked police car acted appropriately throughout, and their decision-making was in line with procedures. They also acted swiftly to try to provide medical attention to the men on encountering the crash.'

Our investigationconcluded in March 2019 and the investigationreport was subsequently shared with the Coroner, the families of the deceased and West Yorkshire Police.

An inquest at Bradford Coroner's Court which concluded today returned a conclusion of death by misadventure for Mr Chaudhry, and that Mr Hussain, Mr Khalid and Mr Siddique died as a result of a road traffic collision.

An act of parliament that provides the core framework of police powers to combat crime and provide codes of practice for the exercise of these powers.

Leads and manages the development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The body that represents the interests of all police constables, sergeants, and inspectors.

Deals with someone's inability or failure to perform to a satisfactory level, but without breaching the Standards of Professional Behaviour.

Focuses on putting an issue right and preventing it from happening again by encouraging those involved to reflect on their actions and learn. It is not a disciplinary process or a disciplinary outcome.

Department within a police force that deals with complaints and conduct matters.

Refers to lower-level misconduct or performance-related issues, which are dealt with in a proportionate and constructive manner.

This means doing what is appropriate in the circumstances, taking into account the facts and the context in which the complaint has been raised, within the framework of legislation and guidance.

The average is calculated using the individual results of the forces in that most similar force group.

An investigation carried out by IOPC staff.

Carried out by the police under their own direction and control. The IOPC sets the terms of reference and receives the investigation report when it is complete. Complainants have a right of appeal following a supervised investigation (unless it is an investigation into a direction and control matter).

This act sets out how the police complaints system operates.

How a police force is run, for example policing standards or policing policy.

An investigation carried out by the police under the direction and control of the IOPC.

The organisation that is responsible for assessing how to deal with a complaint. For example - whether it can be handled locally or reaches the criteria for referral to the IOPC. The appropriate authority may be the chief officer of the police force or the PCC for the force. If a complaint investigation finds that someone has a case to answer for misconduct, the appropriate authority is responsible for arranging any misconduct proceedings. If you make a complaint, the appropriate authority for your case will contact you.

An intelligence-led agency with law enforcement powers, it is also responsible for reducing the harm that is caused to people and communities by serious organised crime.

Policing bodies include police and crime commissioners, the Common Council for the City of London, or the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime.

Investigations carried out entirely by the police. Complainants have a right of appeal following a local investigation (unless it is an investigation into a direction and control matter).

IOPC guidance to the police service and police authorities on the handling of complaints.

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Parameters within which an investigation is conducted.

A person is adversely affected if he or she suffers any form of loss or damage, distress or inconvenience, if he or she is put in danger or is otherwise unduly put at risk of being adversely affected.

This is where a manager deals with the way someone has behaved. It can include: showing the police officer or member of staff how their behaviour fell short of expectations set out in the Standards of Professional Behaviour; identifying expectations for future conduct; or addressing any underlying causes of misconduct.

This could be the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Common Council for the City of London, or the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime.

A flexible process for dealing with complaints that can be adapted to the needs of the complainant. It may involve, for example, providing information and an explanation, an apology, or a meeting between the complainant and the officer involved.

A flexible process for dealing with complaints that can be adapted to the needs of the complainant. It may involve, for example, providing information and an explanation, an apology, or a meeting between the complainant and the officer involved.

A breach of standards of professional behaviour by police officers or staff so serious it could justify their dismissal.

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Disapplication means that a police force may handle a complaint in whatever way it thinks fit, including not dealing with it under complaints legislation. This may only happen in certain circumstances where the complaint fits one or more of the grounds for disapplication set out in law.

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Quarter 1 covers 1 April - 30 June Quarter 2 covers 1 April - 30 September Quarter 3 covers 1 April - 31 December Quarter 4 covers the full financial year (1 April - 31 March).

You can request a review/appeal if you're not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled.

Used to house anyone who has been detained.

Complainants have the right to appeal to the IOPC if a police force did not record their complaint or notify the correct police force if it was made originally to the wrong force.

The purpose of an investigation is to establish the facts behind a complaint, conduct matter, or DSI matter and reach conclusions. An investigator looks into matters and produces a report that sets out and analyses the evidence. There are three types of investigations: local, directed and independent.

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The type of behaviour being complained about. A single complaint case can have one or many allegations attached.

A person who makes a complaint about the conduct of someone serving with the police.

The ending of an ongoing investigation into a complaint, conduct matter or DSI matter. An investigation may only be discontinued if it meets one or more of the grounds for discontinuance set out in law.

List of officers and staff who have been dismissed from policing, or would have been if they had not retired or resigned.

The type of behaviour being complained about. A single complaint case can have one or many allegations attached.

Disapplication means that a police force may handle a complaint in whatever way it thinks fit, including not dealing with it under complaints legislation. This may only happen in certain circumstances where the complaint fits one or more of the grounds for disapplication set out in law.

An independent judicial officer, the coroner enquires into deaths reported to him/her.

A breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour that would justify at least a written warning.

No further action may be taken with regard to a complaint if the complainant decides to retract their allegation(s).

A record is made of a complaint, giving it formal status as a complaint under the Police Reform Act 2002.

This is a format where information is written in plain English and short sentences.

The IOPC must be notified about specific types of complaint or incidents to be able to decide how they should be dealt with.

No further action may be taken with regard to a complaint if the complainant decides to retract their allegation(s).

Casework involves assessing appeals. Casework staff also have a role in overseeing the police complaints system to help ensure police forces handle complaints in the best possible way.

Disapplication means that a police force may handle a complaint in whatever way it thinks fit, including not dealing with it under complaints legislation. This may only happen in certain circumstances where the complaint fits one or more of the grounds for disapplication set out in law.

Conduct includes acts, omissions, statements and decisions (whether actual, alleged or inferred). For example: language used and the manner or tone of communications.

You can request a review/appeal if you're not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled.

You can request a review/appeal if you're not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled.