Contact with a man prior to his death - Metropolitan Police Service, October 2015
On 23 October 2015, at approximately 11.30pm, six Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers went to a house in north-east London following an emergency call during which a man had threatened his girlfriend with a knife. They spoke with the three people present and subsequently left, satisfied no one was injured and no offences had been committed.
The same evening, at 2.18am, the ambulance service was called to the same house to treat the man, who was at the bottom of the stairs. The man was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. The Coroner reached an open verdict at the inquest.
During the course of the investigation we obtained and reviewed call logs and radio transmissions and made house-to-house enquiries. We also examined and reviewed relevant MPS and national policies and guidance.
At the start of the investigation, the Investigator identified indications that six police officers involved in the incident may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings for a number of allegations, including failing to accurately assess the risk posed and failing to follow local and national force policies and guidance. The Investigator interviewed all six officers under the misconduct caution.
The officers described the occupants of the house as being friendly and in good spirits, albeit intoxicated, when they went to the house. This was corroborated in interview by the man’s girlfriend. In the Investigator’s opinion, the evidence suggested that the officers did assess the situation and consider the risks presented to them at the time, taking into account the information available, and did so in accordance with policies and guidance.
Based on the evidence available, at the end of the investigation, the Investigator was of the opinion that none of the officers had a case to answer in respect of these allegations.
After reviewing our report, the MPS agreed with our findings.