Care given to a man during his detention - Metropolitan Police Service, February 2018

On 12 February 2018, a man who could not speak or understand English was arrested for shoplifting. When Metropolitan Police Service officers arrived, he apparently had an epileptic seizure and was taken straight to hospital. On 13 February 2018, the man was discharged from hospital and taken to Bromley custody suite. The hospital discharge letter provided to custody stated “patient is medically fit for discharge as likely pseudo-seizure”. It also said that he was known to have epilepsy.

The man was examined by a doctor and it was recommended he was placed on constant supervision. An officer was placed outside his cell, to watch him.

During the man’s detention it was recorded on the custody log that he appeared to be having a “pseudo fit”. There was no record of medical assistance requested or provided. Three to four hours later officers called an ambulance, as it was believed the man had had an epileptic seizure. He was taken to hospital.

During the investigation, investigators viewed CCTV, examined documents, interviewed the custody sergeant and obtained accounts from other officers on duty and a witness account from the doctor. They also conducted research into the meaning of pseudo seizures.

We were unable to obtain medical consent from the man and were therefore unable to obtain any further information regarding his assessment or diagnosis once taken to hospital.

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.

We were of the opinion that one detention officer, one police officer and one police sergeant may benefit from refreshing their understanding of their roles and responsibilities in the care of detainees, and that one inspector might particularly benefit from a reminder regarding the use of templates and an input into epilepsy.

After reviewing our report, the force agreed that all four would benefit from learning from the incident.