IPCC issues seventeen misconduct notices to police over Stephen Port murders
Investigators from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) are still looking into the police response to the murders of four men for which Stephen Port has been found guilty.
Port was today found guilty of the murder of the four men found in Barking, East London over a period between June 2014 and September 2015.
The IPCC’s investigators are now urging witnesses to come forward following the convictions.
The watchdog is investigating the Metropolitan Police Service following the deaths, and after the police service referred itself to the IPCC last October after the deaths.
Seven officers from the Met Police have been served with gross misconduct notices telling them their conduct is under investigation.
Another ten officers have been served with misconduct notices.
The seventeen officers range in rank from constable up to inspector.
The gross misconduct and misconduct notices relate to the response by officers to the deaths of the four men before an investigation was launched.
It includes the way investigative work was conducted, how evidence was examined and how similarities between different cases were considered.
PinkNews can disclose that it was first made aware of allegations of a link between the deaths in December 2014, and reporters carried out preliminary investigations over the following month, which included contacting Scotland Yard.
The four bodies were found between 19 June 2014 and 15 October 2015.
Enquiries were also made by the Barking and Dagenham Post and a friend of victim Gabriel Kovari.
The body of Jack Taylor was found in the churchyard on 14 September 2015.
IPCC Commissioner Cindy Butts said: “Today our thoughts are with everybody affected by the tragic deaths of Anthony, Gabriel, Daniel and Jack at the hands of Stephen Port.
“It is important we establish whether the police response to the deaths of all four men was thorough and appropriate in the circumstances, including whether discrimination played any part in actions and decisions. As his trial established, Port was known to the police in connection to the death Mr Walgate. We now know that tragically, three more young men went on to lose their lives.
“I have met with LGBT community members in Barking and Dagenham to explain the IPCC’s role, and would like to provide the assurance that our investigators are continuing to work hard to scrutinise the police response to the tragic deaths of these four young men.
“We would like to hear from anybody who provided information to the police about Port, or any of his victims, between 19 June 2014 and 15 October 2015.”
Anyone with information should contact the IPCC on 0800 151 0021 or email barking&[email protected].
