MISSING OAP TRAGEDY: COP FAILINGS EXPOSED
Probe shows police made basic errors
AN INVESTIGATION has revealed failings in how police handled the hunt for a missing pensioner who was found dead.
The family of 88-year-old Janet McKay have welcomed recommendations made by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner after a probe into the case.
Police Scotland have apologised and “fully accepted” the findings.
The body of Janet, who suffered from dementia, was found in Clydebank in September 2015, eight days after she was seen leaving her home in Knightswood, Glasgow.
PIRC were tasked with probing the missing person inquiry by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
Their report found that while police had reacted swiftly to the report of Janet as a missing person, there were “procedural and investigative failings”. Police did not take a statement from Janet’s carer, who would have been able to describe what she had been wearing, and “failed to act promptly” to a reported sighting of her on the day she went missing.
Information about Janet being seen by another witness on the day she went missing was not passed on until days later, and information that she had been getting on a bus to Clydebank was not followed up quickly enough.
PIRC found some police supervisors had failed to check lines of inquiry had been properly completed. The report also said many officers involved in the inquiry were not fully aware of guidance and standard procedures on missing persons. Commissioner Kate Frame said: “This investigation highlighted a number of investigative and procedural shortcomings by Police Scotland. “I have made a number of recommendations which I have already shared with the chief constable in light of this case, to enable him to put measures in place and take corrective action.” Janet’s family said: “We are aware of the findings of the PIRC report and are pleased to note that a number of recommendations have been made. “We hope Police Scotland will look carefully at these recommendations.”