Officers who dealt with a Bedfordshire police firearms officer before he shot himself at Luton Airport acted appropriately and considered his welfare, according to the police watchdog. But the Independent Office for Police Conduct said it had issued recommendations during its investigation into the death of Sergeant Sean Duignan on how the force should improve security procedures governing access to armouries.
A colleague who let him into the gun store was unaware that the officer had been suspended and his access to the armoury blocked after he had been arrested for drink driving two days earlier.
Sergeant Duignan, 44, was found on the floor of the gym at the police unit at Luton Airport at 9.45 in the morning of Bank Holiday Monday 31 May last year. (2021).
A police-issue handgun and two bullets were discovered alongside the body of the married officer, who had served with the force for 18 years.
An inquest at Ampthill concluded today/Monday with the assistant coroner from Bedfordshire Dr Sean Cummins finding that he had taking his own life.
In a statement the IOPC said: “We established that PS Duignan, who was a member of the Armed Policing Unit in Bedfordshire Police, was arrested on 29 May 2021 by Bedfordshire Police after two members of the public had earlier reported concerns over a vehicle being driven erratically.
“Police identified the vehicle as belonging to PS Duignan and an officer attended his home, where the vehicle was located and PS Duignan was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through alcohol or drugs.
“He was taken to Milton Keynes Police Station, in Thames Valley, where he was found to be over the legal alcohol limit. He was further arrested for dangerous driving and interviewed under caution before he was released from custody the following day.
“In line with policy following an arrest, the force locked PS Duignan’s armoury account on 30 May, meaning he could no longer gain access to armoury. The day after his release, PS Duignan went to London Luton Airport Police Station, where he accessed a police issue firearm after a colleague granted him entry to the armoury.”
IOPC regional director Graham Beesley said, “Our thoughts are with Sean Duignan’s family and friends following their tragic loss. “We found no evidence to indicate that any police officer may have committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner justifying the bringing of disciplinary proceedings.
“PS Duignan’s welfare was appropriately considered by Thames Valley Police, after he had been transferred to their custody, and relevant information was shared promptly with Bedfordshire Police. We found Bedfordshire Police took appropriate measures to safeguard PS Duignan, arranging immediate support for him when they learned of his arrest.
“We found the officer who enabled PS Duignan to enter the armoury was unfortunately unaware his access had been restricted.
“As a result, we issued Bedfordshire Police with learning recommendations relating to its security procedures governing access to armouries, and how this is audited. These learning recommendations were accepted by the force and were implemented prior to the conclusion of our investigation.
“While PS Duignan’s arrest and detention may have been a significant and contributing factor in his death, we concluded the decision to attend his address to undertake investigative and welfare enquiries was an appropriate policing response in the circumstances, in spite of the tragic events that followed.”
“We began our investigation on 31 May 2021, following referrals from Bedfordshire Police and Thames Valley Police (TVP), and concluded in December 2021, when we sent our final report and a file of evidence to HM Coroner.
“We also shared our findings with PS Duignan’s family. During our investigation statements were obtained from TVP and Bedfordshire officers and custody staff, including those who were both colleagues and close friends of PS Duignan. The BCH (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire) Firearms Standard Operating Procedures were reviewed as well as armoury access records and TVP custody records.
