Six officers cleared over the death of restrained patient

SIX POLICE officers have been cleared of professional misconduct over the death of a mental health patient after he was restrained, the Metropolitan Police said.

Olaseni Lewis died in September 2010, days after he fell unconscious while being restrained by 11 Met Police officers at Bethlem Royal Hospital in south-east London. The 23-year-old, from South Norwood, was initially a voluntary patient because of mental health problems but was subjected to two periods of prolonged restraint after becoming agitated.

Police apologised to the IT graduate’s parents after an inquest in May found a series of failures by medical staff and police, including officers’ use of excessive force, contributed to his death. But a misconduct hearing, conducted in private, concluded yesterday that none of the six officers breached the standards of professional behaviour in relation to his restraint and death.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Martin said: “Our sympathies remain with the family and friends of Mr Lewis. I would take this opportunity to repeat on behalf of the Met that we are sorry for their loss, and the circumstances in which Mr Lewis died. The actions of the officers have now been subject to two independent investigations, an inquest and a misconduct hearing.

“I have no doubt that each of those officers set out that day to do their very best and to do all they could to help.”