Contact between a man and police officers - West Midlands Police, August 2017

On 10 August 2017, West Midlands Police attended the Smethwick area after receiving a report that an intoxicated man was causing a nuisance driving a stolen vehicle.

The man drove off and a pursuit ensued. Police traffic units were involved and forced the vehicle to stop. Officers arrested and restrained the man. He was immediately taken to hospital for injuries he appeared to have sustained during the arrest. The man was diagnosed with a cerebral bleed. He was admitted for monitoring, with no medical intervention or treatment, discharged three days later and taken into custody.

Four months later the man said he wished to make a complaint against the officers involved in his arrest. However, he failed to engage with our investigation.

Our investigators reviewed all the information and evidence available from police reports, witness statements and other agencies

We were unable to determine how the man had sustained his injury. It may have occurred when the officer smashed the driver’s window with his police baton. The account from an independent witness indicates that the man may have been involved in an incident prior to his contact with the police, and may have fallen off a car on to the ground.

The evidence indicated that the officer had acted in the course of his duty to arrest an offender and prevent further offences from being committed, in accordance with national and local policies and procedures.

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 concluded our investigation in July 2018.

After reviewing our report, West Midlands Police agreed.