The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched a comprehensive review into Greater Manchester Police's treatment of families who have lost loved ones in police-related incidents.
This significant intervention comes after the police watchdog received numerous serious complaints from bereaved families about their experiences with the force. The review will examine whether GMP has been consistently failing in its duty to properly communicate with and support grieving relatives.
Systemic Failures Under Scrutiny
The investigation was triggered by multiple cases where families reported poor treatment during their most vulnerable moments. The IOPC identified concerning patterns in how GMP handles interactions with those who have lost family members in circumstances involving police.
Steve Noonan, IOPC Director of Major Investigations, stated that the decision to launch a force-wide review wasn't taken lightly. "We have seen several cases where the service provided to families by Greater Manchester Police has fallen well below the standard any bereaved family should expect," he explained.
Families' Ordeal Highlights Urgent Need for Reform
One particularly distressing case involved the family of a man who died in 2023. The family endured what the IOPC described as "unacceptable" delays and poor communication from GMP, compounding their grief during an already devastating time.
This pattern of failure has raised serious questions about whether these were isolated incidents or symptoms of broader systemic issues within the force's procedures for dealing with bereaved families.
Scope of the Investigation
The wide-ranging review will examine:
- Communication protocols with bereaved families
- Support mechanisms for grieving relatives
- Training standards for officers handling sensitive cases
- Consistency in following established procedures
- Timeliness of responses and updates to families
The findings could lead to significant changes in how police forces across England and Wales interact with families during traumatic investigations.
GMP's Response and Commitment to Improvement
Greater Manchester Police has acknowledged the review and stated its commitment to cooperating fully with the IOPC's investigation. Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts emphasized that the force takes these concerns seriously and is dedicated to improving its service to bereaved families.
"We recognize the profound impact that losing a loved one has on families," Potts stated. "We are determined to ensure we provide the right support and communication during these difficult times."
The outcome of this review is expected to have implications not just for GMP but for police forces nationwide, potentially leading to revised national guidelines on handling interactions with victims' families.
