Two Lincolnshire Cops Cleared Over Tragic Overdose Case
Two Lincolnshire Police officers have been cleared of misconduct after a panel ruled they acted appropriately during an incident linked to a woman’s tragic death. The case has sparked sharp criticism of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and its handling of the investigation.
What Happened at Skegness Caravan Park?
On 21 July 2022, Sergeant Connor Ingamells and PC Paige Thompson rushed to a 999 call about a 44-year-old woman who allegedly overdosed at a Skegness caravan park. Paramedics from the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) assessed the scene and deemed her condition “not life-threatening.”
Bodycam footage revealed the woman spoke of suicidal thoughts but gave conflicting info on medication intake. The officers stayed for around 30 minutes, ensured she wasn’t alone, and urged her friend to keep watch and call emergency services if her state worsened.
Misconduct Panel Throws Out Allegations
At the misconduct hearing on 16 December 2024, chaired by Oliver Thorne, all allegations against Sgt Ingamells and PC Thompson were dismissed. The panel found their actions appropriate and within professional standards.
“Nothing should have alerted them that EMAS’s assessment was wrong or inadequate. Therefore, there was no breach of standards,” Thorne said.
“It’s not sufficient to look with hindsight and say they should have acted differently.”
IOPC Investigation Under Fire
The IOPC’s decision to launch a misconduct hearing faced heavy backlash. Sgt Ingamells’ lawyer, Hugh Davis, labelled the probe “extraordinary and wrong,” blaming hindsight bias rather than the reality officers faced during a stressful shift.
“The decision-making has been led by looking backwards from the tragic outcome, not forwards from the reality of a demanding shift,” Davis slammed.
Meanwhile, PC Thompson’s representative Matthew Butts highlighted the reliance on medical professionals, saying:
“It’s wrong for other emergency services to assume the police will do duties.”
Pressure Cooker for Frontline Services
The case exposed huge pressures on police and ambulance crews working under intense demand. Officers often rely on paramedics for clinical judgements since they lack medical qualifications.
The controversy reignites debate over the IOPC’s role and if frontline cops are unfairly blamed for tragic outcomes outside their control.
Calls for Fairness and Reform
The panel stressed the importance of fairness in misconduct probes, especially when officers act in good faith amid challenging circumstances.
While the woman’s death remains tragic, the hearing underlined accountability must be reasonable — not hindsight-based blame for systemic failings.
Sgt Ingamells and PC Thompson’s clearance has sparked calls for a review of how the IOPC conducts investigations and better support for emergency workers managing complex, multi-agency incidents.
The IOPC has yet to comment on the outcome.
