18 face misconduct notices after murder of Claire Chick
Claire Chick was murdered by her ex-husband in January 2025
Last updated 1 day ago
Misconduct notices have been served to 18 individuals connected to Devon and Cornwall Police following the murder of Claire Chick in Plymouth.
Claire, 48, was murdered by her ex-husband, Paul Butler, in January 2025.
Butler pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in prison.
Claire had been in contact with Devon and Cornwall Police several times since September 2023.
Her murder has led to an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) regarding police actions leading up to her death.
The investigation
The IOPC confirmed that 15 police officers, two staff members, and a former officer have been issued misconduct notices.
An IOPC spokesperson said: “Our thoughts and sympathies continue to be with Claire Chick’s family and friends for their devastating loss.
“Our investigation into the contact Ms Chick had with Devon and Cornwall Police, prior to her murder in January 2025, continues to make progress.
“Investigators are looking at the actions and decisions taken by Devon and Cornwall Police and examining whether relevant policies and procedures were followed.
“As part of our enquiries we have served fifteen police officers, two police staff members and one former officer, with misconduct and gross misconduct notices, who were involved in logging information, risk assessments and safeguarding decisions made about Ms Chick on a number of occasions from September 2024, until just prior to her murder.
“The serving of such notices does not necessarily mean that disciplinary proceedings will follow and will be kept under review as our work continues.”
Friends and family gathered in Plymouth earlier this month to mark one year since Claire’s death.
Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew said: “My thoughts and condolences remain with the family and friends of Claire Chick. The Force continues to fully co-operate with the Independent Office for Police Conduct’s on-going independent investigation into our previous contact with Claire.
“We acknowledge that the IOPC has served a number of officers and a police staff member with notices informing them they are under investigation for potential misconduct or gross misconduct.
“Such notices advise individuals that their conduct is subject to investigation, but it does not mean that disciplinary proceedings will necessarily follow.
“The Force is supporting all officers and staff through this process.”