Police officers probed over Valdo Calocane 'assaults' month before Nottingham killings

Three Leicestershire Police officers are under investigation for potential misconduct over their inquiries into alleged assaults committed by Valdo Calocane the month before he killed three people in Nottingham, the Independent Office for Police Conduct said.

Calocane was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court in January for the fatal stabbings of 19-year-old students Mr Webber and Ms O'Malley-Kumar and 65-year-old school caretaker Mr Coates.

It happened in the early hours of June 13 last year.

Regional Director of the IOPC Derrick Campbell said: “Our sympathies remain with the families of Ian, Grace and Barnaby for their loss in such tragic circumstances, and all those affected by the deaths.

"We recognise the significant public interest and concern over the horrific events of June last year, and the families’ understandable desire for answers as well as their call for change. 

“We are acutely aware that we are one of a number of agencies conducting reviews into the circumstances of this terrible case. Whilst we will endeavour to answer as many of the questions arising from the families’ complaints as we can, our remit is limited. 

“Some of the issues the families have raised as part of their complaints, as well as the broader questions raised about the criminal justice and health systems, are not something which the IOPC is able to investigate. 

“We will, of course, keep them updated on the progress of our work.” 

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IOPC) are investigating how Nottinghamshire Police handled the case and the decisions and actions they made during the investigation. 

The IOPC are looking into "how Nottinghamshire Police informed the families of the death of their loved ones, and the support they put in place for them, including how information from the ongoing investigation was communicated to them". 

The police complaints watchdog said: "We are also investigating whether senior officers followed relevant policies and procedures in their oversight of officers investigating the events of 13 June 2023 and subsequent events. It also includes issues around communications with the family and public over the handling of inappropriate WhatsApp messaging and potential sharing of information about the case. 

"All Nottinghamshire officers are currently being treated as witnesses."

Two police constables and a sergeant from Leicestershire Police force are also being investigated in relation to the case.