Nottinghamshire Police has been placed under special measures following concerns about its performance in managing investigations and supporting victims. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has initiated an “enhanced level of monitoring” to address these issues. The force is now required to produce an urgent improvement plan. This action follows criticism of the force’s handling of various cases, including the response to the attacks by Valdo Calocane, who was sentenced for a stabbing spree in Nottingham last year.

Chief Constable Kate Meynell has acknowledged the gravity of HMICFRS’s findings and confirmed that an improvement plan is in development. The force faces critiques for its failures in investigation management, victim support, and governance. To address these issues, HMICFRS has issued two “accelerated causes for concern,” focusing on the inadequate supervision of crimes and the provision of updates to victims.

This scrutiny comes in the wake of the Calocane case, where dissatisfaction with the force’s leadership and investigation processes has been voiced by victims’ families. However, officials state that the decision to place Nottinghamshire Police in special measures is not directly linked to any single incident. The intervention by HMICFRS places Nottinghamshire among five other UK police forces currently under special measures, including the Metropolitan Police and West Midlands.

Inspector Roy Wilsher has emphasized that the engage process aims to offer additional support and scrutiny to help the force improve its services. Despite the challenges, Chief Constable Meynell has expressed a commitment to making the necessary changes and working closely with HMICFRS to enhance the force’s operations and rebuild public trust. The detailed reasons for the watchdog’s decision and the full inspection findings are expected to be released in an upcoming report later this year.