The Police Service of Northern Ireland has today, Tuesday 5 May, responded to the independent review by Dr Jan Melia into the case of Jonathan Creswell and the death of Katie Simpson.
The review examined the police handling of the case involving Jonathan Creswell and identified serious failings in investigative approach, recognition of coercive control, safeguarding practice and oversight.
Responding to the review, Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck, Crime Department said: “I wish to take this opportunity to formally acknowledge the independent review conducted by Dr Jan Melia into the tragic death of Katie Simpson. I want to begin by acknowledging Katie’s family and to again apologise for the failings in the PSNI’s response to Katie’s death.
“We remain committed to learning from this case so I welcome the publication of the review which outlines unacceptable failings by the PSNI and indeed by others. From the PSNI perspective we accept and welcome this review and accept the findings in full. We will of course take some time to review the findings in detail and we are committed to working with the author, the Department of Justice and other partners to implement the recommendations in full.
“The review makes clear that we missed opportunities. Warning signs were not fully recognised early enough and we did not listen to some of those who raised early concerns. Let me be clear, they got it right and we were too slow to respond to their concerns; that was wrong. Patterns of coercive control were not sufficiently understood or challenged, investigative decisions did not always reflect the level of professional curiosity and rigor that should have been applied.
“The failings are clear, we fell short and for that, I am truly sorry.
“Policing depends on public trust. When we do not meet the standards expected of us, particularly in cases involving vulnerable women and children, domestic abuse and safeguarding, that trust is damaged. It is our responsibility to rebuild it.
Importantly, work has already commenced and these recommendations will help us shape our continued work to address violence against women and children as we move through years 4 – 7 of the PSNI Violence Against women and Girls action plan.
Since this case, we have strengthened training on coercive control, we have also increased emphasis on professional curiosity and an investigative mind set. We have restructured the command of our Criminal Investigation Department and Major Investigation Team bringing them within a single Branch with a unified command of experienced Senior Investigating Officers. We have reviewed and refreshed our investigative training and death investigation instructions while enhancing supervisory standards in this regard. Safeguarding referrals in domestic abuse cases are already subject to enhanced supervisory review. Oversight structures have been reinforced to ensure clearer escalation when concerns are raised.
“We recognise that more must be done and, as part of our recovery plan, I am committed to increasing resourcing in our Publication Protection Branch.
“We are committed to rebuilding trust through action, accountability, and reform.
“I want to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Jonathan Creswell or anyone else. I would urge victims to speak to us, we are here to listen, to help and to keep you safe.”