Stats reveal number of police ‘contact’ deaths
FOUR suspects died during or after contact with the police in Cheshire during the last year.
Figures published by the Independent Office For Police Conduct showed these included one road traffic incident, one apparent suicide after custody and two other deaths subjected to independent investigation.
There were seven deaths in 2017-18 in Cheshire: one road traffic incident, one death during or after custody, two apparent suicides after custody and three more subjected to independent investigation.
Nationally in 2018-19, there were no deaths in custody but six people died after becoming unwell in a police cell, six died in hospital after becoming unwell at the scene of arrest.
Overall, deaths in or after police custody fell by seven to 16 from a 10-year high last year.
Road traffic fatalities increased by 13 to 42, 30 of those during pursuits.
Suicides following custody increased by a small amount to 63.
The IOPC investigated 152 cases of a wide range of other deaths following contact with the police in what was a small decrease on the previous year.
The watchdog said that nationally, mental health and links to drugs or alcohol were common factors among many of those who died.
Ten of those who died during or after custody had mental health concerns and 13 had links to drugs or alcohol.
Michael Lockwood, IOPC director general, said: “These deaths have a tragic and lifelong impact on the family and friends of those who have died, and the police officers who are involved.
“It is of critical importance that we analyse the circumstances of each and identify if there are lessons to be learnt in the hope we can prevent future deaths from occurring. Figures across the different categories each year fluctuate, and need to be treated with caution in the context of the hundreds of thousands of interactions the police have with the public each year.
“This year we’ve seen a reduction in the number of deaths in or following police custody, with no deaths occurring in a police custody suite itself.
“This reflects the importance of ongoing work, to which we have contributed, to ensure police custody offers a safe as environment as possible.
“However, it is of concern that again, there is a high proportion of people dying during and immediately after custody who are vulnerable through mental health and links to drugs and alcohol. ●
“While this is perhaps unsurprising against a backdrop of rising numbers of drug deaths in wider society and pressures on mental health services, the fact that this continues to be a major factor every year highlights the reliance on police as first-responders.
“These statistics bring into sharp focus the need for all police officers, including the proposed 20,000 new police recruits, to have up to date training in recognising and managing vulnerabilities in those they come into contact with.
“But this is not just a policing issue – it’s a system-wide issue, which needs a concerted response by all those involved to prevent future deaths from occurring.”
Superintendent Chris Warren, of Cheshire Constabulary’s Professional Standards Department, said: “Incidents of death or serious injury during or following police contact are thankfully rare.
“When such incidents do take place, the constabulary takes seriously its responsibility to work closely with the IOPC to ensure any investigation is thorough, impartial and transparent.
“We are fully committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of those individuals who have contact with the Constabulary – whether that is as a detainee, a victim or a witness.
“Sadly between April 1, 2018, and March 31 there were four deaths in Cheshire during or following police contact, all of which were referred to the IOPC at the time for independent review.
“One case was subsequently referred back to the Constabulary for a local investigation.
“In the remaining three cases the IOPC carried out independent investigations into the circumstances to ensure that all procedures were followed and to identify any areas of learning where we can improve our own practices.
“No misconduct issues were identified, although the IOPC recommended fours areas of learning, all of which will be actioned.”