NEWS > 18 January 2007

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Dorset Echo - England,UK
18 January 2007

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Police officers face disciplin

A DORSET police inspector, custody sergeant and three civilian detention officers are facing disciplinary action following the death of a mentally ill alcoholic who was left lying on the floor of a police cell for hours.

And a coroner has called on the government to take steps to ensure that those who are drunk and incapable are not taken into police cells "as a first resort" in a bid to avoid a similar tragedy.

An inquest at Bournemouth Town Hall heard how Tony Davis, 51, was suffering from fatal hypothermia by the time he reached Poole hospital, more than 10 hours after his arrest.

Police had initially called for an ambulance on October 12, 2004 but it was cancelled and Mr Davis, who was laying in a drunken stupor on Swanage seafront throughout the previous night, was taken to cells in Poole instead.

Mr Davis from Newton Rise, Swanage, was left in damp clothes, placed on a concrete floor and not given a blanket.

By the time he reached Poole hospital his body temperature had dropped to 19.7 degrees C and attempts to save him failed.

Following six hours of deliberations, jurors yesterday concluded that Mr Davis had died from hypothermia with self-neglect a contributory factor.

The five women and four men decided that a full risk assessment had not been completed when Mr Davis arrived at the custody suite or "a full verbal hand-over" given.

In a statement read to the court, they added: "Appropriate procedures for frequent visiting and arousal were not followed. But indications that this was done were documented in the custody log and given verbally."

Custody suite staff were also slammed for incorrectly using CCTV to monitor Mr Davis instead of visiting him in his cell and failing to arrange medical assistance when his condition had not improved after four hours detention. They described custody staff training as "ineffective."

After the verdict, East Dorset coroner Sheriff Payne said he believed action should be taken to prevent a similar "sad" death.

"I propose to make a report to the Home Office and the Department of Health with a view to them considering a policy to try and ensure that persons who are drunk and incapable are not taken into police cells, as a first resort.

"A health assessment, at the very least, should be carried out," he added.

Ian Bynoe, from the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which investigated Mr Davis's death along with Hampshire police, said the duty inspector and a custody sergeant would face misconduct hearings while three civilian custody staff will face a disciplinary hearing for gross misconduct.

"The IPCC investigation concluded that police officers and staff in the custody centre failed to carry out their duties in respect to supervision, treatment and care.

"Had these officers and staff properly fulfilled their duties of care the likelihood is that Mr Davis would have been taken to hospital at a much earlier stage. Civilian staff made false entries in the custody record."

Supt Gill Donnell said: "Regrettably this inquest has highlighted individual failures by some staff. Since this tragic case we have had a thorough review of policy, procedures and staffing levels and implemented a number of changes."

Speaking after the verdict, Mr Davis's widow Lorraine Crabb said: "I don't blame anyone; I blame circumstances. Changes need to be made about how certain members of society are dealt with. Had Tony been taken to hospital it would have meant that his final hours could have been spent in a warm, clean atmosphere surrounded by caring medical professionals able to provide the help he desperately needed."

Dorset Police Federation chairman Clive Chamberlain said: "The death of Tony Davis is a tragedy. The police officers facing hearing do so on issues of guidance and procedure and not in relation to their honesty and integrity.

"The federation wishes to ensure that all officers who have to undertake custody duties have been appropriately trained and that inexperienced officers continue to receive support and guidance."

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Article sourced from

Dorset Echo - England,UK18 January 2007

Police officers face disciplin

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Dorset Echo - England,UK
18 January 2007