Investigation into man’s death in custody after stop and search – South Wales Police, September 2022

Officers from South Wales Police stopped a car they suspected was involved in dealing drugs. A man got out of the car and was searched by the officers. No drugs were found, although items associated with drugs were found in the car. 

The man was handcuffed and taken to the police station that evening where he was strip searched. No drugs were found. The man was arrested for conspiracy to supply drugs and taken to custody. The man was put into a cell with CCTV and checked approximately every 30 minutes.

In the early hours of the morning, the man experienced a seizure in his cell. Staff from the custody unit and a health care professional went to the cell and tried to help the man. An ambulance was called, and the man appeared more stable. However, he experienced a second seizure soon after. Paramedics provided medical assistance, but the man sadly died.

We received a death or serious injury referral from the force and decided to independently investigate the matter. We considered whether the stop, search and arrest of the man was in line with the relevant force and national policy and procedures, and if the care given to the man while he was in custody was appropriate. We also considered whether the actions of the police may have caused or contributed to the man’s death.

Our investigators went to the scene and conducted a detailed examination. Witness statements were taken from police officers, staff and medical personnel. We analysed CCTV and body worn video footage, comparing these with logs created by police systems and expert reports.

We concluded there was no indication that a person serving with the police committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner justifying the bringing of disciplinary proceedings. We found the police’s actions and decisions were appropriate during the stop, search and in custody.

We carefully considered whether there were any learning opportunities arising from the investigation. We make learning recommendations to improve policing and public confidence in the police complaints system and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.

We did not identify any organisational learning in this case.