Independent Police Complaints Commission
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IPCC outlines criminal and misconduct proceedings over Avon & Somerset police treatment of Bijan Ebrahimi
Three Avon & Somerset Constabulary police officers and one police community support officer are being charged with criminal offences, following an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) into the force’s treatment of Bijan Ebrahimi in the days leading up to his murder.
The IPCC earlier provided files of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, and the CPS has now decided that the following officers should face charges:
• PC Kevin Duffy – misconduct in public office
• PC Leanne Winter – misconduct in public office
• PC Helen Harris – misconduct in public office
• PCSO Andrew Passmore – misconduct in public office and perverting the course of justice
The charges for the three police officers relate to allegedly failing to respond to allegations and calls for help from Mr Ebrahimi. The charges for the police community support officer relate to allegedly giving false information to 999 personnel and allegedly giving different accounts to the police murder investigation and the IPCC investigation.
Separately, after considering the IPCC’s investigation report, Avon & Somerset Constabulary has agreed with IPCC misconduct recommendations in respect of thirteen other police officers and staff. These are:
• A police sergeant has a case to answer for gross misconduct, and five other officers – two inspectors, two sergeants and a police constable – have a case to answer for misconduct;
• Four members of police control room staff have a case to answer for gross misconduct; a fifth member of staff would have faced gross misconduct but has resigned from the force;
• Two members of police control room staff have a case to answer for misconduct.
The IPCC found no case to answer against one other police constable who had been subject to the investigation.
The future misconduct hearings and procedures are to be arranged by Avon & Somerset Constabulary.
The IPCC is also looking at historic police contact with Mr Ebrahimi dating back six years prior to his death. This part of the investigation is nearing conclusion, and Mr Ebrahimi’s family are regularly updated on progress.
For media enquiries please contact the IPCC press office on 02920-266317.
