Gaia Pope: Police officer warned over missing person probe conduct

Concerns over the officer came to light through an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Miss Pope’s disappearance in Swanage in November 2017 prompted a huge campaign from family and friends to find her. The 19-year-old was found dead in undergrowth near the Purbeck coast, 11 days after she was reported missing.

A post-mortem examination concluded she died of hypothermia.

Senior Coroner for Dorset Rachael Griffin is set to preside over a jury inquest in April next year, which could last up to three months.

The vigil held in Swanage following Gaia Pope's death

The IOPC conducted two investigations in relation to Dorset Police’s handling of situations linked to Miss Pope – the force’s response to a missing person report concerning the teenager and its handling of a rape allegation she made in December 2015.

As reported, the IOPC completed its investigations in late 2019 and reports had been shared with the coroner, Miss Pope’s family and Dorset Police. The findings have not yet been released publicly and this is expected to remain the case until the conclusion of the inquest.

However, Dorset Police has confirmed officer misconduct was identified by the police watchdog in relation to the missing person investigation.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: “We can confirm an independent investigation was carried out by the IOPC. The misconduct meeting took place as a result of conduct issues identified in an IOPC report.

“Misconduct meetings are held in private, but interested parties have the option to attend or be represented.

“The outcome of the meeting was that the officer received a final written warning.”

No details were given on the officer’s rank or involvement in the missing person probe. The force said it was not able to comment on Miss Pope’s case while the coroner continues her investigation.