A police officer from the same force who is under fire for his handling of the Nicola Bulley investigation has been charged with gross misconduct in connection with an unrelated case.
The anonymous cop is the subject of a police surveillance investigation related to the handling of domestic violence complaints filed by the mother Kiena Dawes, 23, before she tragically took her own life last July.
Ms Dawes’s family claimed they were “let down” by Lancashire police after reporting that she was a victim of domestic violence and feared her ex-partner.
He allegedly left a note on his phone at a friend’s house saying: “I hope my life will save another if the police services act more quickly.” Sun informed.
The police watchdog said an officer in the force now faces an investigation because a man was released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of assaulting Ms Dawes just 11 days before her death.
The investigation is ongoing, but the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed that the unnamed officer has now been notified and faces potential misconduct proceedings.
The anonymous cop is the subject of a police surveillance investigation related to the handling of domestic violence complaints made by the mother of 23, Kiena Dawes, before tragically taking her own life last July.
Ms Dawes’s family claimed they were “let down” by Lancashire police after reporting that she was a victim of domestic violence and feared her ex-partner.
The officer is from the same force that is currently facing scrutiny for its handling of the investigation into the disappearance of Nicola Bulley, before her body was tragically found.
An IOPC spokesperson said: ‘Our investigation into previous contact between Lancashire Police and Kiena Dawes, before her death on July 22, 2022, is continuing.
“We have been reviewing the police response when Ms Dawes was reported missing, as well as reports that she had been the victim of assault.
“After having obtained and reviewed a number of witness statements, to understand the nature of the contact between the officers and Ms. Dawes, an officer has been notified of gross misconduct in connection with her actions which led to a man being released. out on bail earlier in July of last year.
‘This does not necessarily mean that there will be misconduct proceedings. Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of Mrs. Dawes and all those affected by her death.”
It comes after the force faced heavy criticism over the way it handled the Nicola Bulley case at nearby St Michael’s On Wyre, prompting calls for an independent inquiry.
The force was criticized by critics for revealing the nature of Ms Bulley’s personal struggles at a press conference, prompting allegations that her privacy was violated during the investigation.
In the case of Mrs. Dawes, the 23-year-old was reported missing after she left her nine-month-old daughter, Marnie, with a close friend and disappeared on July 22 of last year.
His brother Kynan told the publication: ‘They let Kiena down in life, and failed her in her last moments. She felt that the police were not doing anything to help her despite the countless reports of domestic violence.
‘Her attacker was constantly out on bail and she ended up with nowhere to turn. She lost hope… When we found her note we knew it was a race against time.’
Loved ones called the police and provided her with the make and model of her car, as well as the license plate. Despite being a high-risk missing person, Kynan says Lancashire police weren’t quick enough to save her.
They don’t act fast enough. They never do. They weren’t interested. That was the longest five hours of my life, but the poor family of Nicola Bulley had to wait three weeks. That’s brutal.
The force was criticized by critics for revealing the nature of Ms Bulley’s personal struggles at a press conference, prompting allegations that her privacy was violated during the investigation.
Lancashire Constabulary Police have faced scrutiny over the investigation of Nicola Bulley (pictured searching the riverbank on February 16)
Police were aware of the alleged attacks (Pictured: Kiena Dawes shows an apparent wound to her eye area)
Her body was recovered from the railway tracks near the Lancashire town of Garstang as friends and family frantically searched the nearby streets and alleyways for her.
Lancashire Police confirmed that a 28-year-old man from Fleetwood had been arrested on suspicion of assaulting her on July 11, days before her suicide.
Despite allegations of domestic abuse, the man was released on bail pending further investigation and no charges were filed against him.
In the aftermath of her death, Ms Dawes’s family revealed that she had been living in fear and claimed that she repeatedly sought help from the police in the weeks leading up to her death.
They released shocking photos showing her bloodied and bruised after an alleged assault that occurred after police installed panic alarms in her home.
Lancashire Police later confirmed that a mandatory referral had been made to the IOPC, which was investigating whether the force acted sufficiently in response to reports of violence.
The tragedy occurred just 11 days after she was allegedly assaulted by a man her family said the police should have protected her from.
Ms Dawes’s family say she was a victim of domestic abuse and suffered horrific injuries before her death.
IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates said: “The death of Kiena Dawes is a tragedy that has had a devastating impact on her family and friends. Our thoughts remain with her loved ones and all those affected by her.
“Our independent investigation will help establish actions taken by police, both in response to reports of violence and in locating her once she was reported missing.
“We have spoken with Ms Dawes’ family to explain our role and will keep them informed of the progress of our investigation.”
Kynan said the force fitted her home with a panic alarm, but added that this did not stop her attacker from coming to her home on July 11, where he allegedly split her head open, leaving her “completely traumatized.”
And she said the police should have done more to help her as she tried to bring her alleged attacker to court.
An IOPC spokesperson said: “Our investigation into previous contact between Lancashire Police and Kiena Dawes, before her death on July 22, 2022, is continuing.”
He said at the time: ‘The police have let my sister down, they have. She wanted to go through the legal route to obtain justice.
‘The girl is dead now, but she should have gone to CPS a long time ago. She didn’t want to live a life like she was living, so he broke up with her.
‘They didn’t do enough. The head of the CID is going to check everything with a toothpick.
“They’re going to find out why nothing happened, and why she got to the point where she felt like the service wasn’t taking care of her, which she should be, and she decided to take her own life.”
Meanwhile, Lancashire Police have also referred to the watchdog over an interaction with Ms Bulley before she went missing and also confirmed they would be conducting an internal review.
The force is under intense scrutiny over the handling of the search and disclosure of Ms Bulley’s personal struggles after she disappeared from a riverside footpath at St Michael’s on Wyre.
There is a fear that an internal review will become a case of ‘mark your own homework’.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said: ‘We hope the force will be transparent. That doesn’t rule out more work at the end of that.’
If you are struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, you can contact The Samaritans 24/7 helpline on 116 123 for help and support.
