Police watchdog reopens probe into Nottingham killer Valdo Calocane
Valdo Calocane was reported to have pushed a woman over and punched a man in the face in May 2023 - a month before he killed Ian Coates, Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber in Nottingham.
Friday 7 March 2025 17:46, UK
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is reopening its investigation into the actions of Leicestershire Police after allegations of assault by Nottingham triple killer Valdo Calocane on two co-workers.
The incident took place in May 2023, a month before Calocane killed Ian Coates, Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber in Nottingham on 13 June.
The police watchdog previously prepared a report which said officers failed to properly investigate the allegation Calocane assaulted two warehouse workers.
As a result, three officers were due to face misconduct meetings, which the force postponed, it said.
The investigation is now being reopened, as the force has provided new evidence that had not previously been available to the IOPC.
It will now re-examine whether Calocane's previous history, and an outstanding arrest warrant, were seen by officers before the assault investigation was closed.
IOPC director Derrick Campbell said: "Those who are closely impacted by our decision, including the bereaved families and the officers involved, have been notified and we will complete this work as quickly as possible.
"Any decision on the disciplinary outcome of our investigation will only be made once the new evidence and the results of these inquiries have been analysed."
The watchdog's director has offered to meet with the families of the three people killed by Calocane, he added.
Calocane was reported to have pushed a woman over and punched a man in the face in Kegworth, Leicestershire, on 5 May 2023 - a month before he killed his victims during a knife rampage in Nottingham.
Victims' families 'welcome' decision - but have 'little faith'
The families of Miss O'Malley-Kumar, Mr Webber and Mr Coates have "welcomed" the decision to reopen the investigation.
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Speaking on their behalf, solicitor Neil Hudgell said: "We have repeatedly raised serious concerns over a lack of thoroughness, which in our view made this investigation insufficient and incomplete.
"Any other outcome than what has been announced today would have been perverse.
"Sadly, it is another example of how the victims' families and their legal team are having to fight every step of the way for what they want.
"All they want is a complete and thorough investigation, full transparency and, ultimately, accountability."
The families have asked lawyers to request for a new team at the police watchdog to take over the reopened investigation.
"They have little or no faith in the quality of the current members of IOPC personnel managing this investigation," Mr Hudgell said.
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Mr Webber and Ms O'Malley-Kumar, both 19, and 65-year-old caretaker Mr Coates were killed by Calocane before he attempted to kill three others in the city in June 2023.
He was handed an indefinite hospital order for the manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility for their deaths and the attempted murders of three others.
Prosecutors had accepted a plea after experts said Calocane's schizophrenia meant he was not fully responsible for his actions.
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In May last year, a judge ruled the sentence was not unduly lenient. The families of the victims recently he had "got away with murder".
Sir Keir Starmer has promised the families there will be a judge-led inquiry into the attack. The NHS is also set to investigate allegations staff "inappropriately" accessed the victims' medical records.