Devon and Cornwall Police officers investigated over man’s death

Three Devon and Cornwall Police officers are under gross misconduct investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after a man died in the custody of police.

Michael Carolan, fell ill while in custody at Torquay police station and died at 5am on 15 January having been transferred to hospital by an ambulance crew.

Mr Carolan had been reported missing by concerned family members at 9pm the previous evening and was found by officers in Paignton around two and a half hours later. The 28-year-old was arrested and taken to Torquay police station.

We received a referral from the force soon after Mr Carolan died.  Our investigation will examine all the circumstances in the build-up to Mr Carolan’s death including the decision to arrest, the nature and adequacy of searches carried out on Mr Carolan, risk assessments that were completed, observation levels while in custody, and the medical attention he received. We are also looking at a complaint from Mr Carolan’s family in relation to how police communicated with them during his detention and after he died.    

We have notified three police officers that they are under gross misconduct investigation for possible breaches of police professional standards regarding authority, respect and courtesy and duties and responsibilities. The notices relate to their interactions with Mr Carolan and the checks carried out on him during his detention. This will be kept under review throughout our enquiries.    

IOPC Director, Derrick Campbell said: “My sympathies are with Mr Carolan’s family and friends and everyone affected by his death.

“We have met Mr Carolan’s family and explained our role and we are keeping them regularly updated as our investigation progresses. We are examining police actions in taking Mr Carolan into custody and the level of care provided to him during the period he was detained.

“We are independent of the police and it is important that we carry out an investigation to fully establish the circumstances when someone has died in police custody.”

We are gathering accounts from officers and staff involved, as well as reviewing CCTV from the custody suite and body worn video from officers who took part in Mr Carolan’s arrest and subsequent detention in custody.   

The serving of gross misconduct notices does not necessarily mean that disciplinary proceedings will follow. Decisions on whether or not disciplinary proceedings should take place will be taken at the end of our investigation.