By James Simons-
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) concluded that there are “no grounds for any disciplinary proceedings” against South Wales Police officers regarding the tragic drowning of 13-year-old Christopher Kapessa in the River Cynon in July 2019.
Christopher Kapessa drowned after getting into difficulty in the River Cynon near Fernhill, Rhondda Cynon Taf, in July 2019.
Coroner David Regan said during the inquest into his death that evidence from Jayden Pugh, who said he slipped and fell into Christopher, was “untrue”.
While the investigation revealed some shortcomings in the way the force handled communication with Christopher’s family, it found no basis for disciplinary actions.
Christopher’s family had raised concerns about the police’s handling of the case, alleging that the force had prematurely concluded that his death was a ‘tragic accident’ within 24 hours.
The family, who questioned the thoroughness of the investigation, also expressed dissatisfaction, suspecting racial bias and insensitive treatment due to their ethnicity.
The IOPC investigation, initiated in July 2019, did not uphold the complaint that officers hastily concluded the death as accidental without a proper investigation.
The evidence suggested that initial comments made during a meeting between Christopher’s relatives and officers may have created a misleading impression, but the investigation continued for several weeks.
The IOPC acknowledged that communication between the force and Christopher’s family could have been better. It recommended a clearer communication strategy, considering the traumatic nature of the incident and the high level of community interest.
The investigation upheld one complaint related to a meeting between the family and the police, where concerns about possible racism were voiced.
While no disciplinary case was established, the officer involved received management action recommendations, including additional training on dealing with bereaved families, equality and diversity, and unconscious bias.
IOPC Director David Ford expressed condolences to Christopher’s family and explained that, while aspects of communication could have been handled better, no evidence justified disciplinary proceedings. He highlighted areas for potential learning and improvements, primarily focusing on improved communication with bereaved families.
South Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Danny Richards commented on the tragic nature of Christopher’s death and expressed hope that the independent scrutiny and the outcome of the inquest proceedings would provide a better understanding of the issues raised.
The IOPC findings awaited the conclusion of an inquest, and the recent narrative conclusion recorded by the coroner in Pontypridd marks a significant development in the case.
The tragic incident has been a source of deep sorrow for Christopher’s family and the local community, prompting ongoing efforts to address concerns and improve communication between law enforcement and bereaved families in similar circumstances.