Deborah Coles, the director of Inquest, which supports the families of people who die in custody, said the system had again failed to hold police to account.This is the case of Sean Rigg, the floridly mentally ill strapping young man acting aggressively in a public street, who died while being restrained in 2008.
That's right. 11 years ago. And there's been no less than four attempts in that time to try to blame the police for his death. All of which have now failed.
Because they weren't to blame. They did the best they could, in challenging circumstances, to keep people safe.
An initial hearing by the IPCC exonerated officers of responsibility for Rigg’s death, but in 2012 an inquest jury found Rigg had died of cardiac arrest after “unnecessary” and “unsuitable” restraint while lying face down.I'd love to hear what that jury would have done faced with someone refusing to listen to reason...
This prompted the police watchdog to review its earlier investigation. It was another four years before prosecutors confirmed that no criminal charges would be brought over his death, bar one count of perjury against White, who was later cleared.
The IPCC was abolished in January 2018 and replaced by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which directed the Met to bring disciplinary action against the officers.And they've been cleared again. What a waste of time, money and police resources.
The investigations have taken so long that Birks is now an ordained priest, although he is still paid a police salary because he was denied permission to resign while proceedings were ongoing.Still, looks like the sister is getting a book out of it, and more publicity to spit her dummy on all the TV stations & radio shows she attends.
Most of the activists seem to think that being 'held to account' equals being found guilty. The officers have been through a protracted legal process including an inquest, a court case and a disciplinary panel. I expect there will be another bite at the cherry until Inquest get the result they want. It confirms what I've always said, hands on restraint is dangerous for all concerned. Those who criticise have invariably never dealt with an angry man and saying that the police should have used de-escalation techniques fails to recognise that in some cases the person will not or cannot respond and police have to go 'hands on' to reduce the risk for all concerned. I notice the critics never come up with a practical solution other than the use of magic words.
ReplyDeleteRetired
On the other hand, isn't it good to know that we have an infinite supply of suitably competent people - not to mention 'resources' - to conduct endless reviews and investigations?
ReplyDeleteEleven years. Disgusting that these officers have had their lives put on hold over this incident for so long.
ReplyDeleteJaded
"Most of the activists seem to think that being 'held to account' equals being found guilty."
ReplyDeleteIt's the outcome they expect, and have been told to expect by the people that feed off them like leeches.
"...isn't it good to know that we have an infinite supply of suitably competent people - not to mention 'resources' - to conduct endless reviews and investigations?"
Maybe we should put them on Brexit?
"Disgusting that these officers have had their lives put on hold over this incident for so long. "
I'm betting Grenfell will beat that score.