Independent Police Complaints Commission
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Failings identified in investigation into South Yorkshire Police death in custody
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) found two custody sergeants had a case to answer for misconduct after failings were identified during an investigation into the death of a man being held in custody by South Yorkshire Police.
Neil Budziszewski, 42, died in a cell at Ecclesfield police station in Sheffield on 3 May 2013. He had been in the custody of South Yorkshire Police from the afternoon of 2 May 2013 and was due to appear before magistrates charged with theft.
Mr Budziszewski, who was alcohol dependent and had taken methadone on the day he was arrested, was found unresponsive in a cell and despite efforts by police officers and a paramedic to save his life, pronounced dead.
The independent IPCC investigation, which ended in March 2014, examined the circumstances of Mr Budziszewski’s arrest, his detention and medical care. The actions of three police officers, two sergeants and an inspector, and two custody detention officers were looked at.
The IPCC found that Sergeant Nigel Govier and Sergeant Paul Telero had a case to answer for misconduct over issues surrounding risk assessments, custody records, medical assessments and a shift change handover. In July 2014 South Yorkshire Police held a misconduct meeting where Sgt Govier received a final written warning and Sgt Telero received a written warning.
The investigation also looked at why Sgt Telero brought a puppy into the custody suite during his shift. The IPCC could not determine that a misconduct breach had occurred as there are no local or national policies that deal with police officers or staff taking pets into work. However, the investigation did find his actions were unwise and unprofessional.
As well as the misconduct recommendations for the two custody sergeants the IPCC also made learning recommendations about training for officers working in custody suites to South Yorkshire Police.
IPCC Kathryn Stone OBE said: “The care provided to Mr Budziszewski during his period of detention fell well short of what it should have been. South Yorkshire Police has acted on our recommendations and provided an assurance that it will learn lessons from our investigation. I hope that provides some comfort to Mr Budziszewski’s family.”
An inquest that ended in February 2015 found that heart disease and the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal contributed to Mr Budziszewski’s death. The investigation report and a learning report have been published on the IPCC website here.
