Social MediaSix police officers will face a bad process of misconduct for their actions two days later to find a car, which broke down and killed three people.
Five people – Sophie Russon, 20, Eva Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21, Rafel Jeanne, 24, Shane Loughlin, 32 – were last seen on 4 March 2023 after they disappeared overnight.
Police believed the group was involved in a car crash, but the car was not found until 6 March.
When they found the car, on the A48 near Cardiff, three of the group were dead and two were injured.
The families of the three young women all reported them missing on the night of March 4.
Family and friends of the five made repeated appeals to find the missing group over the weekend, with the mother of one girl saying she had been told to contact the police for updates.
They were finally spotted after midnight on 6 March in the city’s ST Mells area.
Ms Smith, Mr Jeanne, and Ms Ross, died while Ms Russon and Mr Loughlin were taken to hospital where they remain in a critical condition.
The accident occurred after the White Volkswagen Tiguan left five on a highway and fell into a wooded area.
In a statement the independent office for police conduct
The statement said the following officers are facing disciplinary proceedings:
- A sergeant responsible for the investigation of 5 March for gross error for their “management of missing persons investigation”
- A PC for gross misconduct for allegedly failing to comply with key questions including not recording and sharing information with family members who say their loved ones are missing
- Two PCS for gross misconduct after allegedly failing to conduct home searches as per policy and providing false accounts to their supervisor and IOPC Investigators in this regard
- One of the officials was also investigated by the officials for the offenses of misconduct in public office and perverting the course of justice, but the IOPC did not find a referral to the crown service.
- A PC for the bad move because of said not to bring enough home searches like every policy
- A sergeant for misconduct related to allegations of failing to review all available information during the conduct of a dangerous women search for missing women
The Iopc Director, Derrick Campbell, said it had investigated “over thirty complaints” from families involved about “actions and decisions” made by Gwent Police and South Wales Police and South Wales police.
“Complaints include the manner in which both forces spoke to the families of all Missing Persons who were personally reviewed by relatives of both forces while the investigation was ongoing.”
The IOPC aims to “over half” the service provided by the two forces which is “unacceptable”, according to Mr Campbell.
Deputy Chief Constable of Gwent Police, Nicky Brain, said that the force was “absolutely driven by the Iopc” to investigate the related calamities and now “
“We recognize the impact this investigation has had on them and understand how important the IOPC’s findings are to all those affected and to the wider community.”
The Iopc also recommended that three South Wales police officers should undertake “reflective practice” after their investigation.
In a statement, the force said “Opportunities are known” during the investigation to improve the way it works with Ginent Police in missing person investigations.
It says the changes have “been implemented.”