The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the IOPC after a man died following an arrest in South Norwood
The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after the death of a 45-year-old man in South Norwood, London, following a police intervention. The incident unfolded early on Sunday morning, around 1:27 AM, when officers responded to a report of a child being assaulted at a property on High Street.
Upon entering the property, police discovered the man in a state of medical emergency. According to the Metropolitan Police, the individual was agitated and was actively resisting arrest. Despite efforts to subdue him, he lost consciousness after being restrained by officers. Paramedics transported him to the hospital, but he was sadly pronounced dead shortly after 3:30 AM.
The Metropolitan Police has emphasized that a referral to the IOPC is standard procedure when someone dies or is seriously injured after police contact. However, the referral does not imply any wrongdoing on the part of the officers involved.
Commander Andy Brittain, overseeing the police’s response to the incident, expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased man, ensuring that they would be fully supported throughout the investigation. He also acknowledged the difficult nature of the situation officers faced during the incident.
Embed from Getty Images“We understand that the community in South Norwood will have concerns about how this situation was handled,” said Brittain. “The IOPC is conducting an independent investigation, which will provide full scrutiny of the incident.”
The IOPC has already dispatched investigators to the scene to gather evidence and interview the officers involved. A spokesperson for the IOPC stated that their role is to conduct an independent examination of the events surrounding the man’s death.
As the investigation progresses, the Metropolitan Police’s Directorate of Professional Standards has been made aware of the situation, and the police officers involved are being offered support.
The incident has left the local community shaken, with many calling for clarity and transparency as the IOPC probes the actions of the officers involved. The death has sparked renewed concerns about the use of force during police interventions and the procedures in place to protect individuals in medical distress.
The family of the deceased man has been informed of his passing, and the IOPC has pledged to keep them informed of developments in the investigation.
