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Inquiry launched as father claims 'racist' Merseyside Police failed to investigate son's death


The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating an allegation that Merseyside Police failed to adequately investigate the circumstances surrounding the admittance of a four-year-old boy to hospital.

The boy was admitted to Alder Hey Hospital in May apparently suffering from seizures. Despite initial signs of recovery, he died in hospital in July.

The boy’s father, who is estranged from the boy’s mother, had concerns about the reasons behind his son’s admittance to hospital and he raised these with Merseyside Police.

He has alleged that the initial police investigation into his son's admittance to hospital was poor and lacked impartiality. He alleged police officers made inaccurate statements to and about him during the investigation and subsequent parental responsibility applications at family court.

The man, who is black, claims the alleged failures and the inaccurate statements were a result of racial discrimination against him by the officers.

A complaint was made to Merseyside Police in November and the matter was referred to the IPCC on February 17.

The IPCC has decided to independently investigate the complaint.

Ms Naseem Malik, IPCC Commissioner for the North West, said: “This man has suffered the traumatic loss of his young son.

"He alleges this trauma has been exacerbated because he believes Merseyside Police has failed to adequately investigate his son’s admittance to hospital and that racial discrimination has played a part in the alleged failure. This is a very serious allegation and one that must be independently investigated."

Ms Malik added: “I am conscious that at the heart of this matter is the death of a young boy and my sympathies go out to all involved.

The circumstances surrounding the admittance to hospital and subsequent death are still a matter which Merseyside Police and others are investigating and, therefore, I am fully aware this is a highly sensitive matter."

THE WIRRAL GLOBE

Without sounding heartless or callous, in the first instance, isn't it Social Services who are informed of any form of abuse, usually by the Medical team at the hospital or the GP, Health Visitor etc?

I was under the impression that they were the first port of call and the Police only got involved in cases of serious abuse, and in all cases of sexual abuse. I wonder if a complaint has been raised with the above mentioned agencies too?

My thoughts do go out to him though.