Restraint of man after roof fall - West Midlands Police, September 2018

West Midlands Police (WMP) were called to a building in Coventry on 29 September 2018 after a man driving a Range Rover crashed into parked cars before entering a flat, climbing out on to the roof and falling head-first on to the pavement.

The man was then initially restrained by members of the public before police arrived and applied leg restraints and handcuffs, as he was still struggling. A spit hood was also temporarily applied and removed when paramedics arrived.

As is usual when someone dies after contact with the police, we conducted an independent investigation. Our role was to investigate the actions of officers at the scene and whether that had any bearing on his subsequent death.

We took statements from the officers and witnesses and examined body worn video and other evidence as well as reviewing WMP policies and procedures.

In our view police were justified in applying limb restraints as witness accounts indicated the man was struggling and kicking out. He was also spitting blood while shouting and although there was nothing to indicate this was deliberate, due to the potential risk we concluded that the use of a spit hood was justified in the circumstances.

We found insufficient evidence to conclude that any police actions directly or indirectly caused or contributed to Mr Brammer’s death.

An inquest concluded on Friday 20 March when the jury recorded a finding of misadventure and gave the cause of death as complications from a facial injury and bleeding as a result of the fall.

We have made learning recommendations to the force around ensuring body worn video is activated when spit hoods are applied.