Officers told not to discuss Bayoh case, inquiry hears

A SENIOR police officer told junior sergeants about ‘the pitfalls’ of discussing the death of a man in custody, an inquiry has heard.

Former inspector Stephen Kay was giving evidence to the Sheku Bayoh inquiry which is probing the circumstances surrounding the 31-year-old’s death.

Mr Bayoh died after he was restrained on the ground by six police officers in Kirkcaldy, Fife, in May 2015.

The inquiry in Edinburgh began its second phase on Tuesday.

Mr Kay, 53, who left the force in May after almost 26 years, was responsible for the daily running of Kirkcaldy police station. On the morning of May 3, 2015, he was informed about a man with a knife roaming the streets.

According to the former inspector, by the time he arrived on the scene Mr Bayoh had already been restrained by officers and he ordered those involved in the incident to return the station, where he spoke to the group of sergeants.

In his statement to the inquiry, he said: ‘I spoke to them about the pitfalls of discussing this incident with others, highlighting the anticipated media attention.

‘If you’ve got a death in police custody nobody should be speaking about the incident at all until the officers speak with their representatives.’

Mr Kay said he told the officers they would probably have to give up their clothing and boots for evidence.’

He added: ‘I was saying they were not under suspicion for any offences, bearing in mind I’ve got probationers there who had maybe been in the job for six weeks.’

The inquiry continues.