A watchdog carrying out an independent review into the handling of missing mum Nicola Bulley has completed its investigation.
The "careful review and analysis of all the evidence" has identified “two areas of learning” for Lancashire Constabulary.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said its probe focused on the “the actions and decisions of the police officer who attended Ms Bulley’s address as part of a multi-agency team”.
Two areas of learning have been identified for the police officer related to recording information on police systems and the activation of body-worn video.
The force came under fire after the 45-year-old’s body was pulled from the River Wyre in Lancashire on February 19
PAIOPC 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.”
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) have also informed officers that it will not be taking any enforcement action against Lancashire Police over its disclosure of Nicola’s personal information.
The force came under fire after the 45-year-old’s body was pulled from the River Wyre in Lancashire on February 19, more than three weeks after she went missing on January 27.
MPs and campaign groups voiced their disapproval after police put private details into the public domain during the search – including her struggles with alcohol and perimenopause.
Andrew Snowden, Conservative police and crime commissioner for the county said the independent review being conducted by the College of Policing into the force’s handling of the case was under way.
Its findings and recommendations are due to be published in the autumn.
Following the IOPC’s decision not to take action against an officer who had contact with Nicola before her disappearance, Lancashire Police said they attended her address “in support of an ambulance deployment”.
Assistance Chief Constable Sam Mackenzie said: “The IOPC investigators focused on the actions of one officer and have now completed their investigation and found no misconduct or wrongdoing.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) informed officers that it will not be taking any enforcement action against Lancashire Police over its disclosure of Nicola’s personal information
PA“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.”
Announcing their conclusions on Tuesday, ICO’s deputy commissioner of regulatory policy Emily Keaney said: “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.”
