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Police Face Misconduct Probe Over Lecturer's Murder
30 Jan
Summary
- 18 misconduct notices served to police in relation to a murder.
- Investigation focuses on police contact with the victim before her death.
- Estranged husband jailed for 27 years for the lecturer's murder.
An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has resulted in 18 misconduct notices being served on Devon and Cornwall police personnel. These notices relate to the force's interactions with Claire Chick, a lecturer at the University of Plymouth, in the period leading up to her murder.
Investigators are scrutinizing the actions and decisions of Devon and Cornwall Police, specifically assessing whether their policies and procedures were correctly followed. The notices involve 15 police officers, two police staff members, and one former officer. The IOPC is examining their involvement in logging information, conducting risk assessments, and making safeguarding decisions concerning Ms. Chick from September 2024 until her death.
Ms. Chick, 48, was found with severe injuries in Plymouth on January 22, 2025, and later died. Her estranged husband, Paul Butler, has pleaded guilty to her murder and received a minimum sentence of 27 years imprisonment. The IOPC stated that the issuance of these notices does not automatically lead to disciplinary proceedings, with their work continuing to make progress. The watchdog extended its sympathies to Ms. Chick's family and friends for their loss.
