Two Met Police officers are being investigated in a manslaughter probe after a man was Tasered, fell five floors from a balcony – and later died.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has been reviewing the incident, which took place in Peckham Rye on April 12, and has now launched a criminal investigation.
Both officers are being investigated for gross negligence manslaughter and one of them is also being investigated for unlawful act manslaughter.
The IOPC is a police watchdog whose role is to investigate all the circumstances surrounding a person’s death when they die following police contact. It said that it has established that, shortly before midnight on April 11, officers visited a flat in a residential building on Rye Hill Park.
Man dies after being ‘Tasered by police’ and falling from balcony in Peckham
Police had received reports of a man shouting from a balcony but, when they arrived, received no response from the flat and left.
The IOPC said the police had received a similar report in the early hours that same day but no officers attended on that occasion.
But around 1.25am on April 12, police were told that a man was threatening to jump from a balcony and so returned to the property at around 2am.
They forced entry and tried to persuade the man to come inside from the balcony, the IOPC said.
Officers also requested that a police negotiator attend the scene.
The IOPC said that, over the course of the next hour, some officers left the flat but two officers remained.
IOPC investigators now say: “Evidence at this stage indicates that an officer discharged their Taser, shortly before the man fell from the balcony railing at around 3.20am.
“The man fell five floors to the ground and was transported to hospital with critical injuries. He sadly died later that day.”
The police negotiator arrived at the location just before the man fell and had not entered the flat, according to the IOPC.
The IOPC has emphasised that a criminal investigation does not necessarily mean criminal charges or disciplinary proceedings will follow.
As part of their enquiries, IOPC investigators have gathered police officers’ accounts, reviewed body-worn footage, and Taser data will be analysed.
They have also spoken with neighbours, witnesses and are reviewing CCTV footage.
The man is yet to be formally identified as the coroner and Metropolitan Police are searching for his next of kin. And a date for the inquest opening has not yet been set.
IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: “Our thoughts are with the man who died and we sincerely hope that he is formally identified and that his family are able to be notified.
“This was a tragic incident and we recognise that the circumstances surrounding the man’s death have understandably caused concern within the community.
“Our enquiries are still in their early stages and it’s important that we carry out a thorough, independent investigation that will be looking at the full circumstances, including the actions and decision-making of the officers who were present.
“Police officers are able to use force in the course of their duties and we will examine whether any force that was used was reasonable, appropriate and proportionate in these circumstances.
“Following the conclusion of our investigation, we will decide whether to refer the matter to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision and we will determine whether any officers should face disciplinary proceedings.”