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Two officers from Suffolk Constabulary are to face a gross incompetence meeting following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into the way they handled events leading up to the murder of Taiwo Abodunde.
Mrs Abodunde was strangled and then beaten to death by her husband, Olobunmi Abodunde, on 28 November 2023 while the two police constables — one of who was still on probation — waited outside the couple’s property.
The two officers had arrested Mr Abodunde the previous day for common assault and assault causing actual bodily harm, and were back at the address to conduct an interview with Mrs Abodunde.
Upon arrival, the two officers heard a disturbance inside the home and sought permission from their superior — an acting police sergeant — to forcefully enter. After 35 minutes, the officers decided to enter the property where they found Mrs Abodunde’s lifeless body.
Mr Abodunde, who was at the scene, was immediately arrested on suspicion of murder, a charge he later pled guilty to and for which he was sentenced to life in prison in May 2024.
One of the police constables faces allegations that their actions may have amounted to gross incompetence. This relates to their handling of events on 27 November and for delaying entry into the property the following day.
The acting sergeant also faces allegations of gross incompetence for advising the officers not to enter the property, despite being made aware of the officers’ concerns for Mrs Abodunde.
The probationary constable — who resigned from the force during the IOPC investigation — will not face any proceedings.
“Our deepest sympathies remain with the family and friends of Taiwo Abodunde and anyone affected by her tragic and senseless murder.
“As a result of our investigation into the police contact prior to her death, we have decided that two Suffolk officers should face a gross incompetence meeting in relation to their actions between 27-28 November.
“Gross incompetence meetings occur when the evidence indicates that the officer’s failure or inability to perform their duties to the required standard may potentially be so serious that it would justify dismissal.
“It is not our role to decide if the officers’ actions amount to gross incompetence. That will be for a police performance panel to determine after considering all of the evidence.”
IOPC director Emily Barry.
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