This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jun/26/met-chief-dumbfounded-at-officers-alleged-photos-of-murdered-sisters

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Met chief 'dumbfounded' by officers' alleged photos of murdered sisters Investigation into Met officers' alleged photos of murdered sisters will consider racism
(about 1 hour later)
Cressida Dick says entire force would condemn taking of inappropriate images at scene IOPC will address if racial bias played a part after Cressida Dick apologises for officers’ alleged actions
Britain’s top police officer has apologised for the actions of two Metropolitan police officers who allegedly shared “inappropriate” photographs of the bodies of murdered sisters in a London park. The investigation into two Metropolitan police officers over allegations they took photographs at a murder scene will consider if racism led to their actions, the Guardian has learned.
The Metropolitan police commissioner, Cressida Dick, described being left “dumbfounded” by allegations that two of her officers took photographs at a murder scene and sent them to a group of people that included members of the public. The case has caused shockwaves and is being investigated by the police watchdog, which on Monday arrested the two officers over the claims.
Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46, were found stabbed to death in Fryent country park in north-west London this month. They were the daughters of a pioneering cleric, Mina Smallman, the Church of England’s first female archdeacon from a black and minority ethnic background. Sisters Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46, were found stabbed to death in Fryent country park in north-west London this month. They were the daughters of a pioneering cleric, Mina Smallman, the Church of England’s first female archdeacon from a black and minority ethnic background.
As part of their investigation the Independent Office for Police Conduct will assess if racial bias played a part in the officers’ actions, the police watchdog has confirmed.
IOPC regional director Sal Naseem said: “We can confirm that as part of our investigation we will be examining whether the officers’ actions were motivated or influenced by race discrimination.”
The photos were shared on a private WhatsApp group. One of the images, taken at the scene of the double homicide, is a selfie-style photo.
The fallout from the Guardian’s revelations led on Friday to Cressida Dick, Britain’s top police officer, apologising for the alleged actions of the two officers, which she said left her “dumbfounded”.
The sisters were reported missing after a birthday gathering on 5 June, and their bodies were found on 7 June. Police said several days later that they had been stabbed to death by a stranger who was likely to have been injured in the attack and who is still at large.The sisters were reported missing after a birthday gathering on 5 June, and their bodies were found on 7 June. Police said several days later that they had been stabbed to death by a stranger who was likely to have been injured in the attack and who is still at large.
The Guardian revealed on Thursday that a criminal investigation was launched after claims emerged that two police officers had taken photographs at the double murder scene. Two officers were arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office and suspended from duty. The allegations were reported to the Met’s directorate of professional standards, which referred them to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is investigating. Two officers have been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office and suspended from duty. The allegations were reported to the Met’s directorate of professional standards, which referred them to the IOPC.
Dick condemned the alleged actions of the officers and said she was appalled by the claims. “I don’t know all the details but if it is as it appears to be then it is shocking. It is disgusting and the whole of the Met would condemn what has happened here. If those officers’ actions have added to the families’ unimaginable distress, then I apologise from the bottom of my heart.” Dick condemned the alleged actions of the officers and said she was appalled by the claims. “I don’t know all the details but if it is as it appears to be then it is shocking,” she said. “It is disgusting and the whole of the Met would condemn what has happened here. If those officers’ actions have added to the families’ unimaginable distress, then I apologise from the bottom of my heart.”
Scotland Yard said its directorate of professional standards was told last week about allegations that “non-official and inappropriate photographs” had been taken at the crime scene.Scotland Yard said its directorate of professional standards was told last week about allegations that “non-official and inappropriate photographs” had been taken at the crime scene.
Meanwhile, the IOPC, which described the allegations as sickening, said the pictures appeared to have been shared with a small number of others, adding that the Met was “handling matters involving those members of the public who may have received those images”. The watchdog is separately investigating how the Met handled calls from the sisters’ relatives after they went missing.Meanwhile, the IOPC, which described the allegations as sickening, said the pictures appeared to have been shared with a small number of others, adding that the Met was “handling matters involving those members of the public who may have received those images”. The watchdog is separately investigating how the Met handled calls from the sisters’ relatives after they went missing.
Henry and Smallman had gathered in a park with friends at about 7pm on 5 June to celebrate Henry’s birthday. They are believed to have stayed behind after their friends left just after midnight, and last had contact with family and friends at 1.05am. They were reported missing the following day.Henry and Smallman had gathered in a park with friends at about 7pm on 5 June to celebrate Henry’s birthday. They are believed to have stayed behind after their friends left just after midnight, and last had contact with family and friends at 1.05am. They were reported missing the following day.
Police say phone calls to the two women went unanswered from about 2.30am. Detectives believe the killer suffered a significant injury during the attack.Police say phone calls to the two women went unanswered from about 2.30am. Detectives believe the killer suffered a significant injury during the attack.
Dick said: “This is a horrible, horrible double murder of two beautiful young women. My heart goes out to their family. It is just appalling. We are doing everything we can to bring the people or persons to justice for this. We have an enormous investigation, very well resourced and using all the expertise not just in London but all across the country and beyond.Dick said: “This is a horrible, horrible double murder of two beautiful young women. My heart goes out to their family. It is just appalling. We are doing everything we can to bring the people or persons to justice for this. We have an enormous investigation, very well resourced and using all the expertise not just in London but all across the country and beyond.
“I am determined that we bring the killer to justice as soon as possible.”“I am determined that we bring the killer to justice as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information can call the incident room on 020 8721 4205, via 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting CAD 3160/7Jun. Alternatively, information can be provided online via this link. Information can be provided anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.Anyone with information can call the incident room on 020 8721 4205, via 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting CAD 3160/7Jun. Alternatively, information can be provided online via this link. Information can be provided anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.