Cleveland Police hold scrutiny meeting over Everard's murder
The review focuses on measures the force are doing to protect women and girls
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner will talk today, reviewing current and future measures to protect women and girls.
It's part of a national request covering all forces across the country following the murder of Durham University graduate Sarah Everard by former Met officer Wayne Couzens.
Cleveland's PCC, Steve Turner, says he'll be seeking assurances from the force’s senior leaders about how they are addressing violence against women and girls.
Turner said: “Sarah Everard’s murder raised important questions nationally about how the sexual misconduct of police officers is monitored and how we can work to prevent such a tragedy occurring again
"It was a tragic event and what we have got to make sure is that it never happens here and it never happens in any force.
"I think there's a lot of work to do across the country to make sure we do that, and I want to make sure that in Cleveland we're doing the right things and I'm doing the job the public elected me to do, and that's to scrutinise Cleveland Police.
"What we can't do is just take at face value what we think should happen or what we think is happening. I'd like to think that we'd never be in a situation that the Met found themselves in, but to ensure that that doesn't happen I've got to ask these questions and scrutinise the answers we get", he added.
"Cleveland is doing everything possible in it's power"
Questions are to be asked on how Cleveland Police will review all allegations of sexual misconduct involving officers over the last two years.
Cleveland's PCC says he wants the force to be one-step ahead as he meets senior officers today.
Steve Turner says it's one of the regular scrutiny meetings which has a different topic each month.
The PCC said: "This isn't a new thing. our force looks at this on a continuous basis. There is ongoing work to try and make sure that females in the force and within members of the public don't become victims.
"I'm pretty confident that when we come out of this, that will be the case. I will be assured and the people of Cleveland will be assured that Cleveland is doing everything possible in its power."
"I wanted to do is bring those female voices to the table"
Cleveland Police will also be asked to explain how they plan to communicate or advise their workforce – and Cleveland’s residents – on the violence against women and girls agenda.
To prepare for the meeting, Steve chaired a roundtable discussion with four of Cleveland’s domestic abuse services – Harbour, Eva Women’s Aid, Foundation and My Sister’s Place.
The Cleveland Commissioner said: "As a man I can't bring my own lived experience to the debate, which is why what I wanted to do is bring those female voices to the table that work on a daily basis with vulnerable women and women who have been victims.
"It's important to hear what they have to say to make sure I'm asking the right questions from the right perspective."
Most powerful signs from Sarah Everard's vigil: