The family of a man who died in custody has been left devastated and furious after Thames Valley Police delivered the tragic news via a brief and impersonal voicemail.
The force has been forced to issue a grovelling apology and launch an urgent internal investigation after the officer failed to make direct contact with the next of kin, a fundamental duty in such sensitive cases.
A Cold Notification
The incident occurred following the death of a man at HMP Bullingdon, a category B men's prison in Oxfordshire. Instead of a compassionate, face-to-face visit from a trained family liaison officer, the deceased's relatives received a call that went to answerphone.
The message, described as cold and procedural, simply informed them that their family member had passed away and requested they call the police back. This grossly inadequate method of communication has been condemned as deeply insensitive and a serious breach of force policy.
Force Apology and Internal Probe
In a statement, a spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: "We are aware of a voicemail message left for the next of kin of a man who died in custody at HMP Bullingdon. This falls far below the high standards we expect and the care we aim to provide to families in such difficult circumstances."
The force confirmed that the matter has been referred to its Professional Standards Department (PSD) for a full investigation. The officer involved is also being given additional training and support.
Calls for Accountability
The case has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about the training and protocols within the police force for dealing with bereaved families. Advocates for police accountability have labelled the incident as "inhumane" and symptomatic of a wider cultural issue.
It serves as a stark reminder of the duty of care that public services must uphold, especially during moments of profound grief and tragedy for families.
