Man who died in custody while high on meth was ‘well cared for’ by police

The police watchdog has found no fault with officers after a man suffered a medical event, under the influence of methamphetamine, while detained, a new report shows.

According to the Independent Police Conduct Authority, the man, referred to as Mr Z, was well cared for while in the custody of police.

About 6pm on June 24 last year the man was arrested while being under the influence of meth. He had been seen acting erratically and attempting to open car doors. He was taken into the Auckland Custody Unit where an ambulance was requested to take a look at him. It was there that police noticed the man also had serious injuries.

After being advised the ambulance would take some time, police opted to drive the man to Auckland hospital, but he became unresponsive in the car. Despite an officer starting chest compressions, attempts to resuscitate him at hospital did not work.

In it’s findings, released yesterday , the IPCA said it had been appropriate for the arresting officers to take the man to the custody unit first.

It also found that the man was well cared for and that police did not breach their overarching duty of care towards the man.

The IPCA did recommend that police should provide training around meth and other drug overdosing. “Where a detainee has lost their ability to communicate or answer questions, this should be treated as a medical emergency, and the detainee should be taken directly to a hospital.”

Acting Superintendent Sunny Patel said the management of people in their care is something they take very seriously, no matter what the circumstances.

“This was a tragic incident, and my deepest sympathies remain with this man’s family.”