The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said the system aimed at tackling hoax emergency 999 calls should be examined following the murder of a woman by her violent ex-boyfriend. Known as the “silent solution” system, it is designed to deal with 999 calls that are either hoaxes or made accidentally. The IPCC has now made national recommendations to ensure there is better accountability for the system and that its effectiveness is reviewed.
Mother of one, Kerry Power, 36, was killed by her ex-boyfriend David Wilder, 44, in Plymouth, Devon, in 2013. Shortly before her death she dialled 999 but did not speak and so the call was not passed onto the police. A police officer may have advised Miss Power that if she were to make an emergency call, but did not speak, emergency assistance could still be despatched.
Deputy Chief Constable Alan Todd, the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for national contact management, said, “Our steering group has reviewed the system and concluded that it is effective at enabling people who are unable to speak to contact the police while filtering out the huge volumes of accidental 999 calls made every day.”
But he said the investigation into the handling of the Kerry Power murder “demonstrates the tragic consequences of people not knowing how the system works”.
Sharon Taylor, assistant chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, said, “As for the national ‘silent solution’ system, the force has a policy that gives staff clear guidance about how the system works and how to deal with a silent 999 call.”
Devon and Cornwall Police said it was sorry “for any failures”.
The IPCC also considered that the performance of call handlers in this case may have fallen short of the standard expected. They will be dealt with by way of performance procedures.
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