Police pay just £21,000 to family of tragic woman who died in 14-hour 999 wait

[dutchman]

Luisa Mendes died in October 2012 after police failed to respond



Warwickshire Police have agreed a payout of JUST £21,000 to the family of a woman who died after they failed to respond to her 999 call.

Luisa Mendes made a call to cops saying she was allegedly being beaten by two men at a home in Leamington.

However, officers didn’t attend the address in Leamington until 14 hours later - by which point Ms Mendes was found collapsed in the bathroom and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The police force has admitted a number of mistakes - including how the 999 call was handled and prioritised - as well as breaching the Human Rights Act by failing to protect Ms Mendes’ right to life.

Warwickshire Police has now made a payment of £21,687 to her loved ones and a formal apology has been issued to the family by Chief Constable Martin Jelley.

Following an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), misconduct action was also taken against three police staff and one inspector.

Ms Mendes’ brother, Vitor, said: “My sister had led a happy and fulfilling life before problems in her relationship and business meant that she turned to alcohol.

“She was vulnerable and deserved protection from the police, regardless of her difficulties.

“While this settlement does little to compensate for our loss, four years on, I hope that Warwickshire Police will be true to their word and review their systems and policies to ensure they protect people like Luisa in the future.”

Ms Mendes, 44, was found at a house in Leamington on October 25, 2012 - the day after a 999 call was made from the same house in which she had alleged that one of the two men in the house had beaten her.

When police called back they spoke to two men who denied there were any difficulties, even though Ms Mendes could be heard shouting that she was being beaten in the background.

No-one has ever been charged in connection with her death, however a jury at her inquest unanimously concluded that, on the balance of probabilities, she had been assaulted and died because of trauma caused by the assault.

The jury also concluded that there were police errors regarding: the call’s categorisation, handover procedures for the police controllers, deferral of the 999 call, the police computer systems, and supervision of the police staff.

A statement from Warwickshire Police said: “Following the tragic death of Luisa Mendes, and the subsequent IPCC investigation, inquest and domestic homicide review, Warwickshire Police can confirm that a full and final settlement has been made with Luisa Mendes’ mother and brother who live in Portugal.

[rebbonk]

I suppose 'lessons have been learned'?

[dutchman]

Or in official terms:

"The IPCC reported back to Warwickshire Police in May 2014 and rightly identified actions delivered by individuals needed to be addressed and also made some overall recommendations for Warwickshire Police that have all now been implemented. The IPCC has confirmed it is content with our actions."