Two Metropolitan Police officers have been cleared of wrongdoing after a misconduct panel found allegations against them not proven. PCs Danielle Barnes and Elizabeth McAleenan faced accusations related to the restraint and subsequent death of Kevin Clarke in March 2018 in Lewisham.
The Allegations
The officers, who were attached to the South East Command Unit at the time, were accused of breaching police standards of professional behaviour in relation to honesty, integrity, and their duties. It was alleged that they had been dishonest under oath during a 2020 inquest into Mr. Clarke’s death by stating they did not hear him say he could not breathe and that they failed to act to protect his welfare.
Panel Findings
The panel found the allegations against the officers were not proven. They accepted the officers’ claim that they had not heard Mr. Clarke’s comments due to his increasingly agitated state and muffled, inaudible speech. Body-worn video footage from the incident, carefully reviewed by the panel, did not conclusively show that the officers could hear or respond to the alleged statements.
The panel noted that had the words been audible, the lack of reaction from all attending officers would have been highly unusual given the context of a mental health crisis and their efforts to de-escalate the situation.
Police Statement
Superintendent Louise Sargent, responsible for policing in Catford, expressed condolences to Mr. Clarke’s family, stating:
“Throughout this hearing, our thoughts and sympathies have been with Mr. Clarke’s family, who undoubtedly have found it distressing to relive what happened to their loved one. The situation was fast-paced and challenging for everyone who tried to help Mr. Clarke that day, and his death was a tragedy.”
She emphasized the officers’ focus at the time was to calm Mr. Clarke, keep him safe, and transfer him into the care of paramedics.
Background
The misconduct hearing followed the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) reopening its investigation into Mr. Clarke’s death after the inquest. Mr. Clarke, who had been experiencing a severe mental health episode, died following a physical restraint by officers during the incident.
The panel’s conclusion marks the end of a long process of investigation and scrutiny for the officers involved, while the case continues to highlight the challenges surrounding mental health incidents and law enforcement responses.
