What's Happening?
Cole Cooper, a 19-year-old from Scotland, went missing after a night out with friends. Initially deemed medium risk by police, his family felt compelled to conduct their own search and appeal for information.
Despite expressing concerns about Cole's mental health, the police did not initially classify him as high risk. Five days after his disappearance, police raised his risk level and issued a public appeal, deploying various search resources. Cole's body was found weeks later, with the cause of death unexplained, raising questions about the adequacy of the initial police response.
Why It's Important?
The case underscores the critical role of police risk assessments in missing person inquiries. Families often feel that assumptions about young men's resilience can lead to inadequate urgency and resources in searches. This can result in delayed findings and unexplained outcomes, as seen in Cole's case. The situation highlights the need for improved risk assessment protocols and better engagement with families, as well as addressing cultural assumptions about vulnerability. The Scottish government's updated framework aims to strengthen these areas, but campaigners argue that deeper cultural changes are necessary.
