Man becomes unwell in custody - Devon and Cornwall Police, May 2018

In May 2018 Devon and Cornwall Police officers arrested a man for criminal damage. The officers observed that the man was drunk and unco-operative. He was detained at the local custody unit and, while in the presence of officers in his cell, he had a number of epileptic seizures. He was provided with first aid and an ambulance was called. The duty healthcare practitioner (HCP) administered a dose of diazepam to mitigate the seizures. This was not successful. The man was then taken to hospital and made a full recovery after treatment.

Our investigators closely examined the custody record created in respect of the man’s detention, together with the CCTV footage from the custody unit. In addition, they also reviewed national guidance provided to the police by the College of Policing. The entries in the custody record outlining the man’s illness and the actions of the staff were deemed to be of sufficient detail and quality that it was not necessary to obtain further accounts from the officers present at the time.

The evidence indicated that the man had been drinking alcohol and had not been taking his medication, which may account for his seizures. When he was taken ill, he was immediately attended to by the HCP and an ambulance summoned.

Based on the evidence available we found no indication that any person serving with the police may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings, or had committed a criminal offence.

After reviewing our report, Devon and Cornwall Police agreed.