IPCC investigation clears officers in death of East Acton man (From Ealing Times)

IPCC investigation clears officers in death of East Acton man

10:50am Friday 8th January 2010

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NO CHARGES will be brought against police officers over the death of an Acton man in police custody three years ago.

An Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation could not find any evidence of wrongdoing by arresting officers on Jason McPherson from Bentworth Road in East Acton.

The 25-year-old was arrested in Notting Hill on January 18 2007 when he was part of a stop and search executed on a car by officers.

He was taken to Notting Hill police station where CCTV shows officers conducting a search, during which they discovered Mr McPherson had a suspicious package in his mouth.

The pictures show them attempting to get him to spit out the package by hitting him on the side of the jaw and chest with flat palms-approved police methods.

However, minutes later Mr McPherson fell ill and paramedics and officers attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead after being rushed to St Mary's Hospital.

His family made two complaints to the IPCC, one of a breach of custody guidelines by officers in conducting the stop and search, and of excessive use of force.

The investigation concluded there was no breach of police code in the way the stop and search was conducted and could not establish any independent evidence officers used undue force in the arrest.

IPCC Commissioner, Mike Franklin, said: “Tragically a young man has died and I would like to extend my sincere condolences to his family.  “The IPCC has undertaken a thorough and independent investigation of the death of Mr McPherson and the complaints of his family.  “The investigation has examined the CCTV footage of both Mr McPherson’s initial contact with officers on the Edward Woods Estate, and the footage from Notting Hill Police Station.  “The investigation team has also taken statements from over 30 key witnesses, including the officers concerned, and sought advice from expert witnesses on matters of control and restraint.

“It is terribly sad that a man has died while in police custody.  Our investigation has found that the police officers tried to help Mr McPherson by providing first aid when he became unwell.  “I hope that the conclusion of the inquest and the publication of our investigation findings will give Mr McPherson’s family some closure.”

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