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Responding to the Police Ombudsman’s finding that the initial police investigation into Katie Simpson’s death was ‘flawed’, Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime NI Geraldine Hanna said:
“Jonathan Creswell was a manipulative abuser and the murder of Katie Simpson was a terrible crime.
“Through the pain of their grief Katie’s family and friends have also had to deal with a police investigation that did not meet the standards they had the right to expect.
“The Ombudsman has clearly found a litany of failings during the investigation and it is right that Assistant Chief Constable Beck has apologised to the family on behalf of the PSNI.
“One of the most concerning findings from the Ombudsman is that there was ‘a general lack of an investigative mindset’ pervading the initial investigation.
“The fact that Creswell’s account was accepted at face value is extremely worrying. We know that men like Creswell can often be manipulative and he presented a ‘respectable’ face to society, but he should not have been able to evade justice.
“This is, sadly, something I have heard often from victims of crime who have engaged with my office with many of them telling me that they did not believe their crimes were investigated properly. This is something I believe the PSNI needs to address urgently.
“Victims of crime deserve a police force that fearlessly follow all lines of inquiry without fear or favour. Front line officers need training, support and supervision to ensure this is the case. I am therefore disappointed that the Ombudsman’s recommendation that sudden deaths and incidents resulting in life threatening injuries require the attendance of a Detective Sergeant to take operational command of the incident was not accepted by the PSNI.
“Failures like those identified in this case damage the confidence victims of crime have in our police force to protect them and apprehend offenders. I welcome the PSNI’s commitment to do better in the future.”