Retirement policy reviewed over misconduct case

A police sergeant and an inspector were found to have cases to answer over the death of 18-year-old Tania Clifford in November 2016.

However, the inspector had retired before misconduct proceedings could be held – prompting the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to recommend the force ensure its human resources department contacts the professional standards department about retirement applications.

The recommendation has now been implemented while the police sergeant was given management action.

IOPC Regional Director Miranda Biddle said: “This is a tragic case and our thoughts are with those who knew Tania Clifford.

“Our investigation found that more could have been done to search for Ms Clifford after she was reported missing.

“I am pleased that West Yorkshire Police have since adopted our recommendation, and that we can ensure the proper processes are followed when dealing with officers who retire or resign during ongoing investigations.”

Ms Clifford was reported missing on November 4, 2016 a day after she was discharged from a Leeds mental health unit.

She was found dead in Cookridge the following day.

An inquest into her death returned a narrative verdict last week.

The IOPC completed its investigation last August but publication of its findings were delayed until the inquest’s conclusion.

It found the two unnamed officers failed to conduct an adequate risk assessment in line with West Yorkshire Police’s policies on handling reports of missing people.

They also did not properly review information they were given about Ms Clifford’s personal circumstances and concerns about her mental health.

Assistant Chief Constable Catherine Hankinson said: “This was a tragic case in which a vulnerable lady sadly took her own life.

“We accepted in full their findings and acted on them accordingly.”