A new investigation has raised alarm over police mishandling of the case surrounding Valdo Calocane, the triple killer whose brutal stabbing spree left three dead in Nottingham.
The attack on 13 June 2023 shocked the community, but weeks before, there were significant opportunities to prevent the tragedy that authorities missed.
A recent report highlights that police failed to properly probe Calocane’s assault on two colleagues just five weeks prior to his killing spree.
Leicestershire Police Under Fire for Lack of Action in Early Assault
On 5 May 2023, Calocane was accused of assaulting two coworkers at a warehouse in Kegworth.
The police were called to the scene, where Calocane reportedly shoved one colleague and punched another.
Witnesses claimed he reached for a knife, but authorities were not informed of this detail at the time.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation has revealed shocking mistakes made by Leicestershire Police, including failure to gather key evidence, such as written statements and CCTV footage, and not taking proper steps to identify Calocane’s violent history.
Families of Victims Express Outrage Over Police Inaction
The families of Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates have condemned both the police force and the IOPC, calling the investigation into Calocane’s actions “exceptionally poor.” They have expressed deep disappointment in the findings, stating that had the police followed basic procedures, their loved ones may still be alive. Their criticism points to the failures that allowed Calocane to continue his violent actions, ultimately culminating in a deadly attack.
The Fallout: Police Officers Face Misconduct Meetings, No Job Losses
The investigation’s conclusions have led to misconduct meetings for three officers, but the IOPC has not recommended any gross misconduct charges.
As a result, the officers involved, including a female officer and a senior guide/mentor, will not face termination.
This has sparked further outrage from the victim’s families, who believe that these officers’ failures directly contributed to the tragic deaths of their loved ones.
Mental Health System’s Role in Calocane’s Actions Comes Under Scrutiny
In addition to police failures, concerns about Calocane’s mental health treatment have also surfaced.
Reports indicate that despite his history of paranoid schizophrenia and violent behavior, Calocane was not forced to take long-acting antipsychotic medication due to his fear of needles.
Families of the victims argue that if he had received proper medical care, he may never have been able to carry out the killings.
A recent review also uncovered disturbing patterns of violent behavior among other patients under the same mental health trust, with incidents of serious violence dating back years.
Victim Families Demand Public Inquiry to Address Failures Across Multiple Agencies
Following the release of these findings, the families of the victims have called for a full public inquiry into the multiple agencies involved in handling Calocane’s case.
In a meeting with Sir Keir Starmer, the families were assured that a judge-led public inquiry would take place within weeks.
This inquiry will examine the actions of not only the police but also the mental health services that failed to manage Calocane’s condition, with hopes that it will hold all responsible parties accountable.
A Full Review of Calocane’s Past Behavior and the Authorities’ Oversight
The report also detailed the numerous violent incidents in Calocane’s past, including disturbing encounters that involved terrifying neighbors, assaulting police officers, and holding flatmates hostage.
Despite his history of violence, he was allowed to remain in the community without adequate supervision, leading to disastrous consequences.
The report underscores how critical lapses in both police and health services failed to stop him before he escalated to such extreme violence.
A Tragic Outcome: Could the Deaths Have Been Prevented?
The families believe that if the authorities had done their jobs properly, the deaths of Barnaby, Grace, and Ian might have been prevented.
The report sheds light on how minor administrative errors, such as failure to conduct basic background checks or provide translators for non-English-speaking witnesses, compounded the issue.
In the wake of these findings, the families are determined to ensure that no one else suffers as they have.
Prime Minister Pledges Public Inquiry Amid Continued Grief and Anger
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has promised that the public inquiry will be set in motion soon, with a retired judge overseeing the process.
This announcement comes after weeks of pressure from the families, who continue to demand accountability for the tragic loss of their loved ones.
Grace’s father, Dr. Sanjoy Kumar, expressed his gratitude to the PM, emphasizing that this inquiry is vital to uncover the truth and bring justice for his daughter and the other victims.
Hope for Justice as Families Call for Action Following Inadequate Investigations
As the families wait for the public inquiry, they remain resolute in their quest for justice.
The findings have highlighted systemic failures in both law enforcement and healthcare, leading to a killer being allowed to roam free despite clear warning signs.
For the victim’s families, the painful reality remains that their loved ones are gone, and the authorities’ inaction is something they will never forget.
The Road Ahead: Families Demand Accountability from Police and Health Services
The aftermath of Calocane’s deadly rampage continues to affect the families of the victims, with their demand for justice growing stronger.
As the inquiry progresses, they hope that those responsible for mishandling Calocane’s case will finally be held accountable, and that the failure to prevent such a tragedy will not be repeated.
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