Man dies following contact with police - Hampshire Constabulary, May 2018

On 6 May 2018 officers from Hampshire Constabulary responded to reports of domestic violence. Officers removed a man from his parents’ home and took him to a local police station, where he was interviewed voluntarily. Following his interview, the man was taken home by two officers and advised not to return to his parents’ home until the following morning.

Shortly after midnight, the man left his home and dialled 999 from a telephone box nearby. The same two officers attended and located the man, who asked to be taken back to his parents’ home address, approximately five miles away. The officers refused. The man declined to be taken to his own home and walked away from officers, saying he would walk to his parents’.

The officers later returned to check on the man’s welfare and again refused to take him to his parents’ address. The officers repeated their offer to take him home or anywhere else, which he declined.

Shortly before 2am on 7 May 2018 the man was struck by two vehicles and pronounced dead at the scene.

Our investigation team met with the man’s family, gathered relevant statements from officers and witnesses, and examined CCTV and body-worn video evidence.

Evidence indicated that the two police officers who dealt with the man on the night acted in accordance with their training, policy, guidance and legislation. By going back to check on him, they went above and beyond what was required of them. Therefore we were of the opinion that they discharged their duties and responsibilities correctly and without any neglect.

We found no indication that any officer serving with Hampshire Constabulary had breached the standards of professional behaviour or committed a criminal offence.