WIREDGOV

Learning around Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s handling of domestic abuse cases and misconduct proceedings for two officers has followed an Independent Office for Police Conduct(IOPC) investigation.

We investigated the contact Avon and Somerset Constabulary had with Lisa Winn prior to her murder in February 2015.

Officers were called to an address in Watts Corner in Glastonbury on 26 February 2015 where Ms Winn, 46, was found with multiple stab wounds in the garden.

Her estranged husband, Neil Winn, was sentenced to life imprisonment at Bristol Crown Court in July 2015 after pleading guilty to her murder.

Prior to her death, Ms Winn was a victim of domestic abuse at the hands of her husband for a number of years. Our investigation looked at 12 reported incidents between 2011 and 2014 including how the force dealt with allegations of assault and threats to kill.

It was agreed with Avon and Somerset Constabulary that two police officers had a case to answer for misconduct. Both cases were found proven at misconduct meetings held in October last year.

Following the meetings, one officer was given a written warning for failing to recognise that a crime should have been recorded and investigated appropriately in November 2014. Another officer was given management advice for failing to act professionally when dealing with Ms Winn and family members in August 2014.

Our investigation looked at whether incidents brought to the attention of the police were appropriately resourced and progressed, and whether officers involved complied with their training, force policy and relevant national guidance.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary has already made a number of improvements to its handling of domestic abuse cases since 2015, in line with recommendations made by the IOPC at the conclusion of the Lisa Winn investigation. These include:

• updating their domestic abuse procedural guidance to make clear when officers should complete a DASH risk assessment;
• making sure local guidance and national protocols are consistent; and
• ending a practice of downgrading DASH risk assessments when victims have been referred to MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference).

Catrin Evans, the IOPC Director with responsibility for Avon and Somerset, said: “This area of policing needs constant vigilance; domestic abuse has a range of characteristics and police officers need regular updates to make sure that they are alert to them all.

“I’m pleased to see Avon and Somerset Constabulary have worked to improve their response to domestic abuse victims, and that their local protocols now match the new NPCC guidance.”

Our investigation concluded in June 2017 and was suspended for a period due to the criminal proceedings. Publication of our findings has awaited the end of misconduct proceedings and a decision whether to hold an inquest by HM Coroner made in February 2018.