Top cop to be probed for ‘trying to stop journalists from revealing police failings over Nottingham stabbings’
A CHIEF Constable is to be investigated over claims that she tried to stop journalists revealing police failings over the Nottingham stabbings.
Kate Meynell is said to have called a private press briefing — but made the reporters sign gagging orders.
By forbidding them from publishing what they were told, it is claimed she hoped to hide the fact that knifeman Valdo Calocane had been reported twice to cops for stalking before his rampage in 2023.
In a joint statement, relatives said: “We welcome news that the appalling actions and decisions of Kate Meynell, the Chief Constable of a failing police force, will be fully investigated.
“We believe she chose to hold a non-reportable media briefing to withhold information and shackle the press from reporting further gross actions of her force.”
Paranoid schizophrenic Calocane, 31, killed 19-year-old students Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, as well as Ian Coates, 65, before stealing Mr Coates’ van and ramming into three people.
Nottingham’s Police and Crime Commissioner referred the families’ complaint to the IOPC – which has decided Meynell’s conduct warrants an independent investigation seeking to establish whether an offence has been committed.
If criminal, it will be dealt with by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Other outcomes could include disciplinary proceedings or a change in police policy.
Ms. Meynell took over at Nottinghamshire Police in 2022.
The force declined to comment.
The IOPC said: “We are looking at the force’s decision to hold a non-reportable briefing for media in February. Our inquiries include assessing the content of the briefing, the communication of that briefing to the families and whether it was conducted in line with relevant policies and procedures.”