[2025] EWHC 2684 (KB)

DS Brownsell soundly rejected the suggestion that the investigation had adopted a “good cop/bad cop approach” or that references to 1970s policing (“Life on Mars”) were accurate. Having considered the interviews (particularly that of Mr Cooper) and heard some extracts I reject without hesitation that there was some deliberate policy/tactic that amounted to “good cop/bad cop” when interviewing witnesses.”. As regards DC Baker, DS Brownsell stated that he was “good with witness, good at rapport building. He was good at putting people at ease; he finds communality with witnesses”. Having heard DC Baker at some length I can well understand how DS Brownsell formed this view. I can also understand why DC Baker might have been viewed by interviewees as more friendly as opposed to the other more formal/reserved officers including DS Brownsell. However, this does not mean that there was anything unprofessional about the conduct of the other officers. I accept DS Brownsell’s evidence that from his perspective, rather than appearing frustrated and aggressive, he and DC Baker had got in well with Mr Cooper; that Mr Cooper may have had a different perspective (to the extent that he did at the time) is just an aspect of human interaction.