Man dies after being restrained by police

Police Shieldoriginally published by: INQUEST
14th September 2010

Olaseni Lewis, known to his family as Seni, was a young black man aged 23 years, engaged in post-graduate Masters studies in IT and Business Management. He had no prior history of mental illness or any untoward behaviour until the evening of Sunday 29 August 2010 when his family and friends noticed that he was behaving strangely, between calm and agitated phases.

They sought professional help, resulting eventually in his admission as a vulnerable voluntary patient at the Bethlem Royal Hospital early in the evening of Tuesday 31 August 2010.

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Survey reveals ‘startling’ level of complaints against the police

Police-Blurred originally published by:
The Independent
2nd September 2010

More than 2,000 police officers had at least three complaints made against them by members of the public over the past year, according to figures released today.

A BBC survey of UK forces showed 2,073 officers were subject to three or more allegations them during 2009/10. Most complaints were about rudeness, assault or failure of duty, according to the Freedom of Information request.

The Police Force of Northern Ireland had the highest number of officers with three or more complaints, at 376. The Metropolitan Police was second with 273 officers, followed by Greater Manchester with 160, Kent with 130 and West Mercia with 117.

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IPCC probe after a Birmingham man dies in police custody

Lloyd Butlerall credits: BBC News
16th August 2010

An investigation has started after a 39-year-old man died shortly after being taken into police custody. Lloyd Butler, from Sheldon, Birmingham, was arrested following a call from his family that he was drunk and incapable.

He was put in a cell at 1215 BST on 4 August and kept under observation due to his poor condition, the Independent Police Complaints Commission said. West Midlands Police checked on him at 1515 BST then started first aid. He was taken to hospital but declared dead.

Police referred the death at Stechford police station to the Independent Police Complaints Commission IPCC which began investigating on 5 August. The IPCC said it had been asked to review the police officers’ actions to ensure they had followed national and local guidelines for custody care.

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