THE suicide of a police firearms expert is being investigated after allegations that she killed herself after suffering intimidation and bullying by other officers.
An investigation into allegations over the death of PC Paula Tomlinson, 35, who worked for Merseyside Police, was started yesterday by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
She hanged herself at the home that she shared with her husband, Jim Collins, also a police constable, in Southport on January 20.
Thirteen officers who worked with the policewoman in the force’s firearms unit have been served with disciplinary notices informing them that they may become part of an investigation. This comes after complaints from Mr Collins and other members of Ms Tomlinson’s family.
Ms Tomlinson had worked for the firearms unit for three of her seven years’ service as a police officer. At the time of her death she was part of another unit not involved with firearms.
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Police confirmed that some of the allegations refer to her treatment in an incident during training by Merseyside firearms officers at the Catterick Army camp and others involve her work in Merseyside as part of the force’s armed- response teams.
In a statement the IPCC said: “As a result of initial investigations into her death serious concerns were raised about issues relating to alleged bullying and intimidation of PC Tomlinson during her three years at the force firearms department.”
An inquest is expected to be held at the end of the year.