Officers ‘acted appropriately’ prior to Bedfordshire firearms officer’s suicide at Luton Airport
Officers who dealt with a Bedfordshire Police sergeant prior to him taking his own life at an airport police base “acted appropriately and considered his welfare”, an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has concluded.
An inquest on Monday (November 14) found Sergeant Sean Duignan died by suicide after he had gained access to a firearm in the armoury at London Luton Airport.
Sgt Duignan, 44, was found on the floor of the gym at the police unit at the airport at 9.45am on Bank Holiday Monday (May 31) last year.
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.
Sgt Duignan, who was a member of the Armed Policing Unit in Bedfordshire Police, had been arrested on May 29, 2021, by Bedfordshire officers after two members of the public had earlier reported concerns over a vehicle being driven erratically.
The IOPC said officers identified the vehicle as belonging to Sgt Duignan and an officer attended his home, where the vehicle was located. Sgt Duignan was arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through alcohol or drugs.
He was taken to Thames Valley Police’s Milton Keynes police station 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 Sgt Duignan’s armoury account on May 30, meaning he could no longer gain access to armoury.
The day after his release, Sgt Duignan went to the police station at Luton Airport where he accessed a police issue firearm after a colleague granted him entry to the armoury.
IOPC regional director Graham Beesley said: “We found the officer who enabled Sgt 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.”
He added: “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.
Sgt 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 Sgt Duignan, arranging immediate support for him when they learned of his arrest.
“While Sgt 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 inquiries was an appropriate policing response in the circumstances, in spite of the tragic events that followed.”
The IOPC had investigated the contact between Sgt Duignan and officers from Bedfordshire Police and Thames Valley Police prior to his death following referrals from both forces.
The investigation concluded in December 2021, and a final report and a file of evidence sen to HM Coroner. The IOPC said it also shared its findings with Sgt Duignan’s family.
“During our investigation statements were obtained from Thames Valley Police and Bedfordshire officers and custody staff, including those who were both colleagues and close friends of Sgt Duignan,” said the IOPC. “The BCH (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire) Firearms Standard Operating Procedures were reviewed as well as armoury access records and TVP custody records.”