Met Police Officers Cleared Over Mental Health Death Horror
Two Met officers have been cleared after facing misconduct claims over the death of Kevin Clarke in Lewisham in 2018. PCs Danielle Barnes and Elizabeth McAleenan were accused of dishonesty and failing to protect Mr Clarke during a mental health crisis that ended tragically.
What Were the Allegations?
The officers, serving with the South East Command Unit, were charged with breaching police standards around honesty and duty of care. It was claimed they lied under oath during the 2020 inquest, denying they heard Mr Clarke say he couldn’t breathe. They were also accused of ignoring his welfare during restraint.
Panel Clears Officers After Close Scrutiny
The misconduct panel ruled the allegations “not proven.” They accepted the officers’ explanation that Mr Clarke’s muffled, agitated speech was inaudible. Body-worn camera footage didn’t conclusively prove the officers could have heard or responded differently.
The panel added it would have been very unusual for any officers present not to react if those words had been clear, especially in a tense mental health situation where they were trying to calm him down.
Police Condemn Tragic Outcome but Back Officers
Superintendent Louise Sargent, overseeing policing in Catford, issued a statement offering sympathies to Mr Clarke’s family. She said:
“Our thoughts and sympathies have been with Mr Clarke’s family throughout. It was a fast-moving, difficult situation for everyone trying to help him that day. His death was a tragedy.”
She stressed the officers’ priority was to keep Mr Clarke safe and hand him over to paramedics as quickly as possible.
Background: IOPC Review and Ongoing Challenges
This hearing followed a reopening of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation after the inquest into Mr Clarke’s death. The 2018 incident involved officers physically restraining Mr Clarke during a severe mental health episode.
The panel’s decision closes a lengthy probe into the officers’ conduct but underlines the ongoing difficulties police face when managing mental health crises.
