In a disturbing incident, Kent Police faced criticism after posting insensitive tweets celebrating their forensic work on the death of Azra Kemal, a young woman who tragically fell from a dual carriageway bridge in July 2020. The tweets included a high-five gif from the movie Top Gun and the hashtag “crackingbitofkit” to highlight police drone work. Azra’s mother, Nevres Kemal, expressed her outrage, calling the tweets “horrendous” and questioning the mindset of those responsible for investigating crimes.
The controversial tweet, posted on the day of Azra’s death, applauded crime scene investigators for swiftly identifying the deceased person within 90 minutes of arriving at the scene. Nevres Kemal found the tweet unacceptable, stating, “I could not believe that professional police officers would high-five themselves and pat themselves on the back, on the back of my daughter’s demise.”
Another tweet claimed that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Azra’s death, even though Ms. Kemal says she was told the investigation was ongoing. The case was closed within 24 hours, with the initial suspect, a man who was travelling with Azra, being released without further action. The family believes the investigation was concluded prematurely, preventing the collection of crucial forensic evidence that could have shed light on the circumstances leading to Azra’s fall.
Kate Ellis from the Centre for Women’s Justice, who is supporting the family, expressed concern about the hasty closure of the investigation, stating that a murder inquiry being opened and closed within 24 hours was inadequate. The family contends that a forensic post-mortem should have been conducted to examine whether there were any signs of physical harm prior to Azra’s fall.
An independent review conducted by Essex Police acknowledged that it may have been more prudent to release the suspect under investigation rather than closing the case. The review recommended conducting a forensic post-mortem to capture detailed forensic evidence that could have either supported or refuted any subsequent claims regarding Azra’s death.
Kent Police maintain that their investigation was comprehensive and thorough. According to a spokesperson, the officers determined there were no suspicious circumstances, and the initial arrestee was released without charge. The police investigation continued for several months to assist the coroner’s inquest, which ultimately returned a verdict of misadventure. However, a complaint about the quality of the investigation prompted an independent force review, which concluded that the service provided by Kent Police was acceptable.
Following a successful appeal through a judicial review, part of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into the complaint has been reopened. The offensive tweets have been removed, and an independent police force is currently reviewing the complaint.
The incident raises important questions about the sensitivity and professionalism of law enforcement agencies when communicating about tragic events. It underscores the need for thorough and impartial investigations that prioritize the concerns of grieving families and ensure justice is served.
