Update on investigation into incident at Perry Barr custody suite

An Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into an incident at Perry Barr custody suite, in Birmingham, in October is progressing.

We are investigating an allegation that a Sikh man had a religious head covering forcibly removed while in the custody of West Midlands Police.

A complaint was made to the force, and subsequently voluntarily referred to the IOPC, regarding the man’s treatment and alleges officers’ actions towards him were racially motivated.

Based on the evidence we have to date; we have served a gross misconduct notice on an officer in relation to the force used. We have also issued misconduct notices on six officers in relation to failing to challenge the officer’s use of force and treatment of the man.

IOPC Regional Director, Derrick Campbell said: “Our investigation is still very much ongoing with notices served on seven officers who were all in the custody suite when the incident is said to have happened.

“The notices advise the officers that their conduct is subject to investigation because there is an indication they may have breached police standards of professional behaviour. However, it does not necessarily mean that misconduct proceedings will follow. It is only once our investigation is complete that we will make decisions about whether or not the officers have a case to answer and should face disciplinary proceedings.

“We continue to keep the complainant updated as our investigation progresses.”

For more on how the police complaints system works, click here.