Kevin Clarke Dies After Police Restraint in Mental Health Crisis
An inquest has revealed that Kevin Clarke died from acute behavioural disturbance, exhaustion, and cardiac arrest. The cardiac arrest was worsened by police restraint, a struggle, and being moved while restrained.
Jury Slams Police Over Restraint and Supervision Failures
The jury concluded that the police restraint was more than just a minor factor in Mr Clarke’s death. They ruled the restraints should have been lifted sooner. They also criticised a clear lack of officer supervision at the scene.
The Day It Happened: Police Called to Mental Health Incident
- On 9 March 2018, staff at supported living accommodation in Catford called police around 2pm. They were concerned Mr Clarke was pacing outside and close to a mental health relapse. Police arrived to ask him back inside.
- The first two officers assessed the situation and decided no mental health detention powers were needed. They explained this to staff and left.
- Minutes later, officers were called to reports of Mr Clarke climbing fences and found him lying in a nearby field, agitated.
- Seven more officers arrived, and while waiting for an ambulance, they restrained Mr Clarke. Shortly after being moved into the ambulance, he suffered a cardiac arrest and died soon after reaching Lewisham University Hospital.
Police Commander Issues Apology, Promises Review
Commander Bas Javid, Frontline Policing, said: “Firstly our thoughts and sympathies are of course with Mr Clarke’s family and friends at this very difficult time. His death was a tragedy and on behalf of the Metropolitan Police Service, I apologise for the failings as identified by the jury.
The officers who attended that day found themselves in a very difficult situation dealing with a man undergoing a mental health crisis who clearly needed urgent medical care. They made a rapid assessment and within 90 seconds had called for an ambulance.
The Metropolitan Police Service is a learning organisation and we always strive to learn and improve. We continually review our policies in line with national guidance around restraint as well as how we assist those in mental health crisis.
The jury has made several observations about how those officers dealt with Mr Clarke. Now we need to carefully consider those observations. We will work with colleagues nationally to consider our training and guidance to officers in dealing with these kinds of fast paced and challenging incidents. We will also in due course examine any further comments and reports by the coroner.”
