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Police warned over bungled search Police warned over bungled search
(about 2 hours later)
Seven police officers have been disciplined for their part in a 10-week search for a missing man who was later found dead in his own garden.Seven police officers have been disciplined for their part in a 10-week search for a missing man who was later found dead in his own garden.
Lothian and Borders Police used sniffer dogs, mountain rescue teams, divers, helicopters and even the RAF during their attempts to find Alan Goulden.Lothian and Borders Police used sniffer dogs, mountain rescue teams, divers, helicopters and even the RAF during their attempts to find Alan Goulden.
His body was eventually discovered by a pest exterminator in bushes just 15ft from the entrance to his flat.His body was eventually discovered by a pest exterminator in bushes just 15ft from the entrance to his flat.
A report into the force's handling of the case has now been made public.A report into the force's handling of the case has now been made public.
The report, which was compiled by senior officers from the Strathclyde force, revealed that four officers involved in the search received formal warnings, while a further three were given "counselling".The report, which was compiled by senior officers from the Strathclyde force, revealed that four officers involved in the search received formal warnings, while a further three were given "counselling".
The fact that the remains of Mr Goulden were found so close to the front door of his home has the potential to damage the reputation of the force Report into Alan Goulden searchThe fact that the remains of Mr Goulden were found so close to the front door of his home has the potential to damage the reputation of the force Report into Alan Goulden search
It said that it had identified "a number of shortcomings" which contributed to the delay in finding 64-year-old Mr Goulden, whose body lay outside his South Maybury home until the pest exterminator spotted it on 7 November last year.It said that it had identified "a number of shortcomings" which contributed to the delay in finding 64-year-old Mr Goulden, whose body lay outside his South Maybury home until the pest exterminator spotted it on 7 November last year.
He had been reported missing on 30 August, and scientific tests later established Mr Goulden's body had lain in the bushes for 68 days.He had been reported missing on 30 August, and scientific tests later established Mr Goulden's body had lain in the bushes for 68 days.
The shortcomings in the search operation included both procedural problems and human error, the report said, and resulted in "the area around his home not being searched properly on more than one occasion".The shortcomings in the search operation included both procedural problems and human error, the report said, and resulted in "the area around his home not being searched properly on more than one occasion".
It made five recommendations which it said should be implemented in order to minimise the chance of anything similar happening in the future.It made five recommendations which it said should be implemented in order to minimise the chance of anything similar happening in the future.
The report admitted: "The fact that the remains of Mr Goulden were found so close to the front door of his home has the potential to damage the reputation of the force."The report admitted: "The fact that the remains of Mr Goulden were found so close to the front door of his home has the potential to damage the reputation of the force."
A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police confirmed: "As a result of the internal professional standards enquiry, seven police officers have been disciplined under the Police Conduct Regulations.A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police confirmed: "As a result of the internal professional standards enquiry, seven police officers have been disciplined under the Police Conduct Regulations.
"Four of the officers received a formal warning and three were counselled.""Four of the officers received a formal warning and three were counselled."
Mr Goulden's son is a serving officer with the Lothian and Borders force.