Paul Jones - Derbyshire Constabulary

Paul Jones, 37, from Belper, was taken into custody on Friday 26 June 2015 and taken to Chesterfield police station. After becoming unwell, he was transferred to hospital, where he died.

The IPCC investigation will focus on how Mr Jones was dealt with while in custody and whether all appropriate steps were taken to care for him.

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Update 6 February 2023. Release of our investigation findings awaited conclusion of inquest proceedings.

An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) identified potential deficiencies in the way some custody procedures were followed by Derbyshire Constabulary prior to the death of detainee Paul Jones.

Mr Jones, aged 37, from Belper, was arrested and taken into custody at Chesterfield Police Station on the afternoon of 26 June 2015. After he was found unresponsive on his cell floor at 7.10pm an ambulance was called and efforts were made by officers to revive him. He was then transferred to Chesterfield Royal Hospital where, sadly, death was pronounced shortly after 8pm.

An inquest at Chesterfield Coroners Court, which finished on 26 January (2023), recorded the cause of death as drug related. The jury concluded that the initial police first aid response was appropriate but the co-ordination inadequate, although they did not feel that had contributed to his death.

The IOPC’s investigation, completed in September 2016, followed a mandatory referral from Derbyshire Constabulary and considered the care and treatment Mr Jones received in custody, including whether cell monitoring and checks were carried out in line with policy.

While being booked into custody Mr Jones indicated that he had taken drugs and was not feeling well. He was made subject to half-hourly cell checks when, to comply with policy, he should have been roused. From the evidence we gathered there were apparent discrepancies between CCTV footage and a Custody Detention Officer’s (CDO) account of the level of engagement and response during a cell check around 45 minutes before Mr Jones was found on the cell floor.

We recommended that there was a case to answer for misconduct against the CDO but the case was found not proven at a misconduct meeting organised by the force in November 2016.

A custody sergeant received management action for unsatisfactory performance relating to the non-recording of a rationale for deciding that Mr Jones did not need to be assessed on arrival by a healthcare professional. In our view that decision was reasonable in the circumstances.

IOPC Regional Director Derrick Campbell said: “I would again like to extend my sympathy to the family and friends of Mr Jones for their sad loss. It was important following his death after being taken into custody that the circumstances were thoroughly and independently investigated. Cell checks and procedures need to be carried out correctly to mitigate the risks faced by vulnerable people in custody.

“In this case we identified some issues which resulted in one officer facing a misconduct meeting where the allegations were not proven.”