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Shana Grice: Disciplinary action for Sussex Police officers | Shana Grice: Disciplinary action for Sussex Police officers |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Three police officers are facing disciplinary action over the case of a woman who was fined for wasting police time when she reported the stalker ex who went on to murder her. | Three police officers are facing disciplinary action over the case of a woman who was fined for wasting police time when she reported the stalker ex who went on to murder her. |
Shana Grice, 19, reported Michael Lane five times before he slit her throat and tried to burn her body. | Shana Grice, 19, reported Michael Lane five times before he slit her throat and tried to burn her body. |
Her parents slammed Sussex Police for "treating her like a criminal", adding the action was "too little too late". | |
A report found stalking cases were not being properly investigated. | |
A spokesman said two officers - one retired - will face gross misconduct proceedings at public hearings in May. | |
A third officer faces internal misconduct action. | A third officer faces internal misconduct action. |
'Poor attitude' | |
Sharon Grice and Richard Green said: "Our daughter took her concerns to the police and instead of being protected was treated like a criminal. She paid for the police's lack of training, care and poor attitude with her life. | |
"It's only right that the police make changes, but it's too little, too late for Shana. | |
"Sussex Police should not be applauded for this." | |
No further action will be taken against five officers investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), while six other force employees - three officers and three staff - have been given "management advice and further training". | No further action will be taken against five officers investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), while six other force employees - three officers and three staff - have been given "management advice and further training". |
The independent report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) was commissioned after Miss Grice was killed in her bedroom in Portslade, near Brighton, East Sussex, in 2016. | |
Stalking and harassment is more common in Sussex than the national average, it said. | |
However, victims were often not referred to specialised support services and the force regularly failed to use powers including searching perpetrators' homes or seeking injunctions. | |
Lane fitted a tracker to Miss Grice's car and stole a house key to sneak into her room as she slept. He was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 25 years in March the following year. | |
It later emerged that 13 other women had reported him to police for stalking. | It later emerged that 13 other women had reported him to police for stalking. |
At his sentencing, Mr Justice Nicholas Green said officers had "jumped to conclusions" and "stereotyped" Miss Grice. | At his sentencing, Mr Justice Nicholas Green said officers had "jumped to conclusions" and "stereotyped" Miss Grice. |
Assistant Chief Constable Nick May said: "We deeply regret the tragic death of Shana Grice in 2016 and are committed to constantly improving our understanding of stalking and our response to it. | Assistant Chief Constable Nick May said: "We deeply regret the tragic death of Shana Grice in 2016 and are committed to constantly improving our understanding of stalking and our response to it. |
"When we looked at the circumstances leading to Shana's murder, we felt we may not have done the very best we could and made a referral to the IOPC." | "When we looked at the circumstances leading to Shana's murder, we felt we may not have done the very best we could and made a referral to the IOPC." |
Sarah Green, co-director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said: "The police watchdog findings that Sussex Police failed and that there will be misconduct hearings are welcome, but much more is needed. | Sarah Green, co-director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said: "The police watchdog findings that Sussex Police failed and that there will be misconduct hearings are welcome, but much more is needed. |
"Numerous inquests and inquiries have found that multiple police forces have failed to protect women who were murdered." | "Numerous inquests and inquiries have found that multiple police forces have failed to protect women who were murdered." |
The report also called on the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) for a single definition for stalking to be adopted by police forces and government departments. | |
Sussex Police has been given three months to make improvements. |