The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) have released an update on their investigation into the death of Mikias Tekeste on 15 July 2023.
Mr Tekeste was arrested earlier that day after officers found he had been recalled to prison. He was also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
He was transported to custody in Croydon in a police vehicle.
On CCTV footage from inside the vehicle, that has been reviewed following Mr Tekeste’s death, he can be seen to remove items from his clothing before swallowing them.
Later that evening he was found unwell in his cell. He was given first aid and an ambulance was called.
He was taken to hospital where, despite the best efforts of medical teams, he sadly died.
The matter was passed to the IOPC and they have now launched a criminal investigation into two of the officers who were travelling in the van with Mr Tekeste to custody for the potential offence of gross negligence manslaughter.
They have confirmed that their investigation has not identified any inappropriate police use of force.
Any death in custody or following police contact is a serious matter and a cause of community concern. They rightly expect the circumstances to be fully investigated.
We are providing every assistance to the IOPC investigation and our thoughts remain with Mr Tekeste’s family.
The launching of an investigation is not in itself a finding of wrongdoing, however the officers will remain on restricted duties while the investigation is carried out.
