The police’s handling of AUT law student Farzana Yaqubi’s multiple complaints about a stalker prior to her murder has been deemed “inadequate” by the police watchdog.
The 21-year-old Muslim law student was murdered by Kanwarpal Singh on December 19, 2022. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to murder.
Eight weeks before her murder, Yaqubi had contacted the police about a man — Singh — threatening, stalking, and harassing her.
Watchdog condemns official response to AUT law student Farzana Yaqubi’s concerns prior to her murder.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) said today it found the police’s response “inadequate”. It is not publishing its full report to respect her family’s privacy.
It noted Yaqubi had first contacted the police on October 25, 2022, by making a 105 online report. She provided screenshots of messages the man was sending her, including one where he threatened to throw acid on her face.
Yaqubi also provided the police with other information which was sufficient for officers to be able to identify Singh, the IPCA said.
Her file sat inactive for six weeks while police waited for her to come to the station and provide a formal statement.
On December 3, she updated her online report, telling the police the situation had escalated and that she was extremely fearful that the man may pose a threat to her life.
On December 6, she went to the Henderson Police Station and gave a formal statement.
“She was told the file would be forwarded to another station near to where she had told police the man may be living. At the time of her death, the matter had not been progressed any further,” the IPCA said.
The police watchdog’s key findings include:
- the initial assessment matrix police use to assess allegations of stalking to determine whether there will be further investigation is not fit for purpose as it does not adequately take into account all lines of enquiry, and, critically, the risk posed to victims such as Yaqubi;
- Police did not adequately take into account cultural and religious factors which influenced how Yaqubi engaged with police, nor did they provide her with appropriate support;
- Police failed to ensure significant matters raised in Yaqubi’s formal statement were immediately addressed; and
- Police failed to link Yaqubi’s file and the file of another young girl who was also being threatened by the same man, thereby missing an opportunity to gain a fuller picture of the extent of his actions
In a statement, Waitematā District Commander Superintendent Naila Hassan said police accepted the IPCA’s findings. It had self-referred its handling of Yaqubi’s complaint to the police watchdog in December 2022.
“We accept that a combination of decisions and actions taken over an eight-week period meant police missed several opportunities for earlier intervention in the complaint,” Hassan said.
“Given the concerning matters Ms Yaqubi had raised in her statement, police should have acted sooner and provided better support given the effects of the frightening behaviour she was experiencing at the time.
“For this we apologise. We have also met with Ms Yaqubi’s family to apologise face-to-face.”
Hassan said police also conducted an internal investigation into the matter.
“We are continuing to make improvements to training and resources available for our staff to assist their decision making around what might constitute a hate-motived crime in files they are investigating.”
Police have agreed to review their initial assessment matrix, and have also agreed to improve training and resources to ensure all staff dealing with files clearly understand what may constitute a hate crime.