WIREDGOV

The IOPC are examining how Essex Police responded to an emergency phone call raising concerns for welfare on the evening of Friday 15 December 2017.

When officers attended an address in Mountbatten Court, Braintree, shortly after midnight on Saturday (16 December) they discovered Suzanne Brown with serious injuries from which she later died. A man was arrested at the scene and has been charged with murder.

Essex Police informed us of the incident and we have begun an independent investigation. We will examine the actions of police control room staff who handled and graded the call and the deployment and response of the officers who attended the address.

Our investigators have made contact with Ms Brown’s family to explain our role and regular updates will be provided to them throughout the investigation. We have also liaised with HM Coroner. An inquest was opened and adjourned on 21 December 2017.

Regional Director Sarah Green, said:

“Ms Brown’s death is a tragedy and we have made contact with her family to extend our condolences.

“It is important we establish the facts surrounding whether the actions of police staff and police officers were appropriate and in keeping with training and policy.

“As has been widely reported, Essex Police is separately conducting a murder investigation and a man has been charged with murder and remanded in custody. Therefore it would be inappropriate for us to make any further comment at this time.”