Wife's heartache over loss of Devon police worker as inquest ends

The wife of a Devon police worker, who took his own life during a misconduct investigation, has issued a statement following the conclusion of a week long inquest into his death.

Mike Newton was 38 when he was found dead near his home in Kingskerswell in March 2022. Three months prior to his death, he had been suspended from his job as a Devon & Cornwall Police control room supervisor, after it was alleged that he had had sexual relations while at work. The allegation is understood to have stemmed from a drunken comment made during a night out, as reported by DevonLive.

During the inquest, which concluded yesterday (December 9), Mike's wife Emma Newton said her husband had loved his job and was proud of his reputation, saying he was "police through and through". But in the months after his suspension, she said he had started to lose faith in the police and had become withdrawn.

When he was handed suspension papers on Boxing Day 2021, Chief Inspector Sarah Johns advised him not to discuss the allegations with colleagues. Mike's interpretation of who he was allowed to contact while suspended was a key point raised throughout his inquest.

Area coroner Deborah Archer said she believed the information provided to Mike regarding who he was allowed to contact was unclear, saying that he and his welfare officer Chief Inspector Lynsey Willis had misinterpreted it as a contact ban. She says there was a missed opportunity to clarify this in writing.

Emma says this led to Mike, who is originally from Cumbria, becoming isolated from his colleagues, who were his main local support network in Devon. She also told the inquest that her husband believed his reputation would be "ruined", regardless of the outcome of the misconduct investigation.

After his death, it was found that Mike was had no case to answer based on the investigation up to that point, Devon & Cornwall Police have confirmed. The force says, however, that it is "impossible" to predict the outcome if the investigation had continued.

In a statement after the inquest, Emma says she wishes this could have come sooner as his death "has left a 'larger than life' gap in the lives of his loved ones."

A month after Mike's death, Emma wrote to the coroner to make a complaint against Devon & Cornwall Police's handling of the misconduct investigation. She says she is "relieved" to hear that changes have now been made.

In a full statement, she said: "My husband Mike has been described as ‘larger than life’ by many who knew him and worked with him and consequently his death has left a ‘larger than life’ gap in the lives of his loved ones. My daughter and I deeply miss him and I have no doubt that is echoed by others who also knew him.

"To say this inquest has been difficult and emotional on both myself, Mike's family and his close friends would be an understatement.

"We’ve heard evidence throughout the week where we believe opportunities were missed during the 90 days from Mike’s suspension to the day he tragically took his own life, opportunities which could have changed what happened that fateful day. A suspension which, as we’ve heard, included what became a contact ban which cut him off from his local support.

"Despite concerns raised from Mikes team and colleagues throughout the force challenging the contact ban, this was unfortunately one of those missed opportunities.

"All I have wanted from the day I wrote to the coroner a month after Mike died, was for the force to review their own policies and do better, to not allow the same mistakes to be repeated again.

"Following my complaint against police and the organisational learnings found through that process, I am relieved to hear that Devon & Cornwall Police have indeed improved their own policies so that history cannot repeat itself.

"Today (December 9), we have heard from the coroner that she has also found the isolation created as a result of the contact ban and the investigation had contributed towards Mike's death.

"I truly hope that learnings have been taken by not just the organisation but by individuals involved to ensure that any other member of police staff under misconduct investigation do not go through what my husband did and another family does not suffer the same consequences.

"Mike’s suspension and the lack of communication throughout his suspension took a heavy toll on his mental health. It should be remembered that ultimately it was found that there was no case to answer against Mike. We only wish this could have come sooner and had it we believe he would be here today.

"We urge anyone who is in a similar position and is struggling with their mental health to seek support from the various organisations available, your occupational health support or through your GP. You are important to someone, as Mike was to us. We miss him, we love him and he will always be by our side."

Devon & Cornwall Police's Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Leaper has also issued a statement, confirming that suspension policies have been reviewed, including more regular communication with those who have been suspended.

ACC Leaper said: "The welfare of our officers and staff is paramount and we have reviewed our policies, procedures and training to ensure there are strong support measures in place to help any member of the force that faces suspension including regular communication to the affected member of staff.

"Our thoughts continue to be with the family, friends and loved ones of Mr Newton."

Where to get help and support

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Signposting

• 24/7 NHS Mental health response line: For support and advice. Call free any time, day or night if you are worried about your own or someone else’s mental health. The team behind the 24/7 open access telephone response line will listen to you and determine how best to help. t: (for Plymouth - 0800 923 9323 (free) 24 hours a day/ (for Cornwall - 0800 038 5300)
• Samaritans: Emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide. t: 116 123, 24-hours a day e: jo@samaritans.org
• The NHS Talking therapies service (IAPT) provides free, confidential talking therapies for people aged 16 years and over experiencing common difficulties including low mood, stress, anxiety or worry. Call 01752 435419 in Plymouth to access, or call 01208 871905 in Cornwall.
• The Suicide Liaison Service is available to support adults over the age of 18 years who have been bereaved by suicide. If you or someone you know would like to access this free service, call 01208 871 905
• Man Down: supporting men's mental health in Cornwall - www.mandown-cornwall.co.uk
• ‘We are with you’ for support with alcohol, drugs or mental health call 01872 263001 or visit https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/services/cornwall-truro/.
• Childline: Free, private and confidential service for anyone under 19 where you can talk about anything. Whatever your worry, whenever you need help, anytime. t: 0800 1111 email or chat via www.childline.org.uk
• Shout: 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help. Text: 85258
• CALM Campaign Against Living Miserably: For men who are down or who need to talk, find information and support. t: 0800 58 58 58 5pm - midnight every day or webchat at www.thecalmzone.net
• If you are a young person or worried about a child you can call the Early Help Hub for advice and help (call 01872 322277 or email earlyhelphub@cornwall.gov.uk).
• Call 0300 777 4777 or visit https://saferfutures.org.uk/ if you or someone else is affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence and those demonstrating abusive behaviours.
• Sunrise runs safe and supportive events, workshops and activities for those affected by loss through suicide. Visit www.sunrisecornwall.org.uk or search Sunrise Cornwall on Facebook or Instagram
• Papyrus Hopeline24/7 For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice please contact PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 on 0800 068 4141, text HOPE to 88247 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
• Andys Man Club offer safe non judgemental spaces where men can discuss their mental health or just get stuff off their chest. We meet every Monday 7-9pm (exc Bank Holidays) and have multiple locations in Devon - Plymouth City College, Plymouth Marjon University, Newton Abbot, Teignmouth, Exeter, Honiton, Torbay. For more information, please visit www.andysmanclub.co.uk.