Reinvestigation into the restraint and subsequent death of man – Metropolitan Police Service, September 2013

In September 2010, a man developed symptoms of acute behavioural disturbance and was taken to a hospital in London. After admittance to Bethlem Royal Hospital, he became agitated, detained under the Mental Health Act and was restrained by medical staff. The hospital requested police attendance who placed the man in handcuffs and took him into a seclusion room. Upon further resistance, additional officers arrived and the man was placed in leg restraints. The man went into cardiac arrest and staff administered emergency first aid. 

After an investigation in 2010 and an inquest held in 2013, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) was ordered to undertake a re-investigation into the death of the man on the basis that the matter was recorded as a conduct matter. 

In September 2013, the IPCC received a referral from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) which confirmed that the MPS had recorded a conduct matter in relation to 11 police officers for the potential use of excessive force in restraining the man prior to his death.

We specifically investigated the circumstances surrounding police contact with a man before his death. We considered the actions and decisions taken, as well as the interaction between police and hospital staff. 

We examined whether the use of restraints was appropriate, and the techniques used were in line with policies, procedures and guidance. 

Six officers attended a gross misconduct hearing after the IPCC investigation found the conduct of the officers amounted to a breach of the standards of professional behaviour in respect of use of force, orders and instructions and duties and responsibilities.

We prepared a file for the Crown Prosecution Service to consider criminal offences, but they did not authorise a charge.

In October 2017, the hearing concluded that no officer breached the standards of professional behaviour and their actions did not amount to misconduct or gross misconduct in relation to the man’s death.

We carefully considered whether there were any organisational learning opportunities arising from the investigation. We make learning recommendations to improve policing and public confidence in the police complaints system and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.

For this investigation, we did not issue any learning recommendations.