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Keith Dance murder case: Two detectives disciplined Keith Dance murder case: Two detectives disciplined
(about 3 hours later)
Two detectives have been disciplined over a case in which a man was murdered in Plymouth, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has said. Two detectives have been disciplined over a case in which a man was murdered in Plymouth, the police watchdog said.
Keith Dance, 33, was found stabbed and beaten to death in 2013. Jacqueline Cooke, 30, and Ian Gollop, 51, are serving life for his "brutal" murder.Keith Dance, 33, was found stabbed and beaten to death in 2013. Jacqueline Cooke, 30, and Ian Gollop, 51, are serving life for his "brutal" murder.
Devon and Cornwall Police had been in contact with Mr Dance beforehand and so referred the case to the IPCC. Devon and Cornwall Police had been in contact with Mr Dance beforehand and so referred the case to the watchdog.
The IPCC report found various failings by those dealing with the case. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) found various failings by police officers and staff.
A call handler has also been disciplined, the IPCC said. It said officers had been in contact with Mr Dance before his death in March 2013, including dealing with reports Cooke had assaulted him with a knife four days before his death. They took a statement but the investigation did not progress.
The police watchdog said officers had been in contact with Mr Dance before his death in March 2013, including dealing with reports Cooke had assaulted him with a knife four days before his death.
"Although officers acted with some diligence initially by visiting Mr Dance [after the assault] and taking a statement from him the following day, the investigation thereafter was not progressed adequately," it said.
In a summary report, the IPCC said Mr Dance's family had raised concerns about an "apparent lack of action by police".In a summary report, the IPCC said Mr Dance's family had raised concerns about an "apparent lack of action by police".
The police watchdog said the call handler made "an error in not recognising the vulnerability of Mr Dance" and not recording that in a log. It said a call handler made "an error in not recognising the vulnerability of Mr Dance".
It also said a detective sergeant and a detective constable "could have been more proactive at locating Ms Cooke" and their "performance fell short of what is expected".It also said a detective sergeant and a detective constable "could have been more proactive at locating Ms Cooke" and their "performance fell short of what is expected".
The IPCC said the force gave the call handler management advice after a misconduct ruling.The IPCC said the force gave the call handler management advice after a misconduct ruling.
The officers had been "dealt with via supervisory interventions to ensure they improve their future performance," it said.The officers had been "dealt with via supervisory interventions to ensure they improve their future performance," it said.
The IPCC added: "Since this case, significant changes have been put in place by Devon and Cornwall Police in relation to how they categorise and record calls from vulnerable people." Devon and Cornwall Police said they welcomed the findings of the IPCC report.
However, the force added: "We believe that Keith Dance's death could not have been prevented by the officers and staff involved.
"Ian Gollop and Jacqueline Cooke brutally murdered Mr Dance and there is nothing the force could have put in place to predict or prevent this attack."