Lancashire Officers Face Misconduct Charges After Death

Kiena Dawes, a 23-year-old woman who died by suicide after suffering prolonged domestic abuse, left a note expressing hope that police would act more swiftly in such cases. Following her death, three police officers are facing disciplinary hearings related to their inadequate responses to her reports of abuse by her partner, Ryan Wellings, who was later found guilty of assault. Dawes had contacted police multiple times regarding Wellings' violence, but her complaints were often dismissed or inadequately addressed, leading her to feel unsupported. Just days before her death, she reported a breach of Wellings' bail conditions, but police did not take action. Her suicide note urged that victims be heard and that police services improve their handling of domestic abuse cases. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is involved in reviewing the officers' actions, emphasizing the need for lessons to be learned from this tragedy.