Police actions to locate a man, later found dead - Lincolnshire Police, January 2018

On 22 December 2017 a man allegedly breached a non-molestation order. The matter was reported to Lincolnshire Police and attempts were made to arrest him. While officers conducted enquiries to find the man, members of his family contacted police expressing their concern for his welfare as they had had no contact from him.

On 8 January 2018, following reports of increased concerns from the man’s family members, Lincolnshire Police commenced a missing person investigation.

On 11 January 2018 the man was found dead by a family friend.

Our investigators obtained witness statements from family members and police officers involved in the investigation. They reviewed relevant force policy, national policy and Approved Professional Practice to consider whether the force had followed them.

Our investigation found that, from 22 December 2017 to 11 January 2018, Lincolnshire Police made various attempts to locate the man, initially as a person who was wanted, and then as a missing person. This included checks at his home address, reviewing bank transactions, and checks with hospitals – all to no avail.

Based on the evidence available we found no indication that any person serving with the police may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings, or had committed a criminal offence.

We completed our investigation in June 2018 but waited until the inquest into the man’s death had concluded before publishing its outcomes.