Report on botched Kevin Nunes case due out next month
The report into the conduct of Staffordshire Police officers over the botched Kevin Nunes murder is set to be released next month after more than two years.
The force watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), told the Express & Star it will release the Operation Kalmia report in the middle of August.
The report, compiled by former Derbyshire Chief Constable Mick Creedon, is expected to run to more than 400 pages.
It will largely be redacted, removing sensitive operational details.
The IPCC will also release a 40-page summary of the investigation and its findings.
It focuses on how a witness was handled and whether there was a 'cover-up'.
Mr Creedon, one of the country's most experienced investigators, completed his report in November 2015 but it has never been published.
Last year the IPCC revealed no action would be taken against senior police officers – including three Chief Constables and an Assistant Chief Constable – despite Mr Creedon finding they had a case to answer for gross misconduct.
However, the Police and Crime Commissioners of Staffordshire, Northamptonshire, Gloucestershire and the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police rejected Mr Creedon's findings.
None faced a disciplinary hearing.
Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis said he disagreed with Mr Creedon's findings in respect to then-Chief Constable Jane Sawyers – who he accepted had made mistakes but said she had been made a 'scapegoat'.
Two detective constables were found to have a case to answer for misconduct. One detective constable was given management advice; the other retired on health grounds.
The Crown Prosecution Service decided in January and November 2014 that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute any officers over the same matter.
IPCC Deputy Chairwoman Sarah Green said last year: “This has been an extremely complex and lengthy investigation.
"There is broad agreement that there were serious failings at Staffordshire Police following the murder of Kevin Nunes in 2002 and the conviction of five defendants for that murder in 2008.
"However, cases for gross misconduct or misconduct have been rejected by the appropriate authorities who are responsible for holding misconduct hearings.
"After careful consideration I have accepted the appropriate authorities’ assessments and decided not to issue directions that misconduct hearings be held.”
