Police Blunders Linked to Custody Death of Andrzej Kusper
An Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) probe has slammed Metropolitan Police over major failings that contributed to the tragic death of Andrzej Kusper, 38, in custody.
Inside the Fatal Custody Incident
Mr Kusper died from a foreign body airway obstruction on September 4, 2021, at Leyton Custody Centre, East London. The inquest at East London Coroners’ Court on January 18 revealed he became unresponsive shortly after being taken into custody following a stop-and-search.
During the initial police search, officers found a small package containing a white substance, leading to his arrest on suspicion of possessing a class A drug. However, a follow-up search inside the custody van missed a critical concealed item in Mr Kusper’s mouth.
Only after arrival at the custody suite did officers discover the hidden item, but by then, it was too late. Despite calls to the London Ambulance Service, Mr Kusper was pronounced dead just after 8 pm.
Fatal Failures: Searches and Monitoring
- The inquest jury found both police searches “incomplete and unsatisfactory,” likely contributing to the death.
- Police monitoring en route to custody was described as inadequate—a “missed opportunity” to spot the concealed item.
- Officers at the custody suite showed poor leadership and communication, adding to the chain of errors.
The jury also noted Mr Kusper’s own role, as he hid the item during the van journey and refused to disclose it at the initial search.
Disciplinary Actions and Police Missteps
The post-mortem identified the cause of death as airway obstruction due to a blue plastic item lodged in Mr Kusper’s windpipe.
The officer responsible for the van search will face a misconduct meeting but avoid dismissal, instead undergoing a Reflective Practice Review Process (RPRP) aimed at learning.
Two Metropolitan Police officers from the Directorate of Professional Standards were also flagged for bungling exhibit handling—one damaged phones by storing them with a water bottle, while the other mishandled biological samples, compromising analyses.
IOPC Condemns Failures, Offers Condolences
“Our thoughts remain with Mr Kusper’s family during this difficult time,” said IOPC Regional Director Charmaine Arbouin. “This tragic case highlights crucial lessons in thorough detainee searches and vigilant monitoring during transport.”
The independent investigation scrutinised body-worn camera and CCTV footage, officer statements, and police policies to uncover systemic failings behind the fatal custody incident.
