Independent Police Complaints Commission
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IPCC publishes findings from investigation into Gloucestershire Constabulary's contact with Hollie Gazzard before her murder

An IPCC investigation has found that Gloucestershire Constabulary’s contact with Hollie Gazzard before her murder was proportionate but that the force’s domestic abuse policies and training in place at the time hindered a comprehensive response.

Hollie was murdered by Asher Maslin on 18 February 2014, three days after she had reported him to the police for theft of her bank card and money from her account.

The investigation found that although the officers’ actions were proportionate to the theft, they did not fully appreciate its potential importance when considered as part of number of domestic incidents.

During the investigation the call handler who took Hollie’s call and the two officers who responded were investigated for possible misconduct. Although the investigations report highlighted failings by the officers in their response it did not recommended they or the call handler face misconduct action.

The officers’ response was symptomatic of the force’s inadequate policies and guidelines. Just days before Hollie’s murder Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) expressed significant concerns about the force’s ability to consistently and appropriately deal with victims of domestic abuse.

 Associate Commissioner Guido Liguori, said:

“My sympathies remain with Hollie’s family and friends following her tragic murder. It is clear from ourinvestigation that at the time Gloucestershire Constabulary’s training and policies were inadequate, meaning the officers and call handler were ill-equipped to fully appreciate the domestic abuse factors within the theft.

“I am pleased that a re-inspection by HMIC in June has commended the force’s progress in this area. Indeed, it is a feature of our interviews that those subject to the investigation were able to identify how they could have provided a better response thanks to training the force has recently delivered.”

Channel website: https://policeconduct.gov.uk/

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