Police investigating Nicola Bulley's disappearance has been cleared by the police watchdog after releasing the mum's personal medical information.
Lancashire Police referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IPOC) after releasing a statement describing the 45-year-old's struggles with alcohol relating to menopause.
The mortgage adviser was last seen on January 27 walking her dog Willow near the river in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire.
Her disappearance sparked a massive search which saw police, firefighters, mountain rescue, underwater teams and the local community comb through a massive area from the river to the coastline.
Tragically, her body was found on February 19, just over a mile from where she went missing.
During a press conference in February, police said the mum had "vulnerabilities" and hours later the constabulary took the unprecedented step to disclose exactly what they were.
In a further statement, they police said that Nicola had previously suffered "significant" issues with alcohol brought on by the menopause.
It added that these problems had recently resurfaced and police were called to her address in Inskip 17 days before her disappearance following reports of concerns for her welfare.
Today, the IPOC concluded their investigation into the contact police had with Nicola on January 10.
IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates said: “Our investigation has identified important learning for the force in relation to the policing role in multi-agency vehicles, which aims to assist the force in their response to similar calls in the future. Our thoughts remain with Ms Bulley’s family and friends and all those affected by her death.”
Lancashire POlice released a lengthy statement in response to the IPOC's decision stressing the investigation was about the contact made on January 10 and not the wider missing person investigation.
Assistant Chief Constable Sam Mackenzie said: "We are keen to take the opportunity to learn and we welcome the independent review that the Police and Crime Commissioner has asked the College of Policing to conduct.
We will, of course, work with the College to identify any good and effective practice, learn lessons and provide recommendations for wider learning to police forces nationally.
We are also aware that the Information Commissioner’s Office have concluded their investigation into our disclosure of personal information about Nicola on February 15 and they have told us they will not be taking any enforcement action. We thank them for their careful consideration of this matter, and we welcome their decision.
Completely separately we referred ourselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following contact Lancashire Constabulary had with Nicola Bulley on Jan 10 before she was reported missing.
"The IOPC investigators focussed on the actions of one officer and have now completed their investigation and found no misconduct or wrongdoing.
"Whilst we do have some procedural learning it is important to note that our attendance was in support of an ambulance deployment and that the officer dealt with Nicola with compassion and empathy putting her care at the forefront of his decision making on that day.
"It is important to stress that this IOPC investigation related solely to contact with Nicola on January 10 and NOT to the wider missing from home investigation.
"Our thoughts remain with Nicola’s loved ones at this time."
Today, the Information Comissioner's Office also said they will not be taking any further action after police released Nicola's personal medical information.
In our blog, Emily Keaney, the ICO’s Deputy Commissioner Regulatory Policy, says: “This was an important piece of work around a high profile case. We wanted to reassure the public that there are rules in place to protect how personal information is used and shared.
"And we wanted to be clear that while police can disclose information to protect the public and investigate crime, they would need to be able to demonstrate such disclosure was necessary and proportionate.
“By considering the factors we are sharing today, police can make informed decisions about how to respect people’s data protection rights during fast-moving and high-profile investigations while still getting the job done.”
