The West Midlands Police inspector faces disciplinary proceedings in relation to the search for Matthew Caseby

A West Midlands Police inspector will face misconduct proceedings over alleged ‘decision-making’ failures in the search for a mental health patient who was fatally hit by a train after escaping a psychiatric hospital.

The officer, who has not been formally named, will appear at a misconduct meeting, led by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), in relation to the death of 23-year-old Matthew Caseby.

The inspector was understood to have been in charge of responding to 999 calls and allocating police resources in the area after Mr Caseby left Woodbourne Priory in Harborne on September 8, 2020.

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He was later killed near University Station. Mr Caseby had been sectioned at the psychiatric hospital under the Mental Health Act for his own safety.

Three days after being detained at the Priory, he escaped by scaling a wall.

Fifteen hours later he stood in front of a train, less than two miles from the hospital.

As soon as he learned his son had escaped, Matthew’s father, Richard, raced from his home in London to Birmingham to mount an overnight search.

He got to within 200 yards of his son when he was hit by the train but was unable to save him.

The care provider managing the hospital was fined £650,000 after it admitted breaching the 2008 Health and Social Care Act by failing to provide safe care and treatment.

Police inspector faces potential disciplinary action

The IOPC obtained statements from several witnesses and interviewed the police inspector under misconduct caution following the incident.

In a new update, the police watchdog said it had provided a report of its findings to Mr Caseby’s father.

It told BirminghamLive: “We decided a police inspector should attend a misconduct meeting in relation to their decision-making and handling of information after Matthew was reported missing.

“Our investigation considered the initial risk assessments and subsequent reviews by officers, the actions taken to locate Matthew, and what consideration was given to concerns and information relayed by his parents.

“During the investigation, we reviewed documents provided as part of the inquest proceedings along with force and national policies on missing persons and mental health.

“It is for West Midlands Police to arrange the disciplinary proceedings. We won’t be in a position to make public any further information until after the disciplinary process.

“Our sympathies remain with Matthew Caseby’s family, and everyone affected by his sad death.”

A West Midlands Police spokesperson added: “We have received a report from the IOPC which recommends a misconduct meeting is held with an officer. This will take place in due course.”