Independent Police Complaints Commission
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IPCC to interview officers over prior contact with Birmingham murder victim
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is progressing its investigation into West Midlands Police contact with Jacqueline Oakes prior to her murder in Birmingham.
To date IPCC investigators have examined hundreds of police documents from 19 incidents connected to reports alleging ex partner Marcus Musgrove had attacked or stolen from Ms Oakes before he killed her at Edgbaston in January last year (2014).
Investigators have also gathered and reviewed relevant force policies. Notices have now been issued by the IPCC to 26 serving West Midlands Police (WMP) officers and seven police staff advising them they are subject to investigation.
Notices have also been sent to one former WMP officer who has retired, and one who has transferred to another force. All the officers being investigated are below NPCC (formerly ACPO) rank.
The IPCC’s initial assessment has identified potential police misconduct in ten of the incidents, which happened between April 2013 and January 2014. Of the 35 notices issued, 27 relate to alleged misconduct matters and eight allege gross misconduct.
IPCC Commissioner Derrick Campbell said: “Our independent investigation is looking at whether the police officers and staff involved resourced, recorded and risk assessed the incidents in line with force domestic abuse policy. This is a complex inquiry with a significant number of officers and staff to be interviewed, and will take a number of months to complete.”
Running alongside the IPCC’s investigation, a Domestic Homicide Review is being carried out by Birmingham Community Safety Partnership looking at the interaction between Ms Oakes and various agencies.
Notes to editors: Serving a police officer with a notice advises them that their conduct is the subject of investigation. It does not indicate or prejudge any outcome of the investigation.
Jacqueline Oakes was found dead at an address in Edgbaston on 14 January, 2014. Marcus Musgrove was convicted of her murder at Birmingham Crown Court in July, 2014, for which he was given a life sentence.
