Misconduct findings following Hampshire death in custody

18 Mar 2016 02:27 PM

Two police officers and two members of police staff have been found to have committed misconduct following an Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation into the death of a 48-year-old woman in Hampshire Constabulary custody.

A third member of police staff was found to have a case to answer for misconduct but could not face disciplinary processes as he left Hampshire Constabulary.

Martine Brandon (née Coquerelle) died after being found unresponsive in a cell at Southampton Custody Centre on 1 November 2014.

Ms Brandon died after choking as a result of consuming her underwear. An inquest concluded that Ms Brandon committed suicide.

The IPCC investigated Ms Brandon’s death and her period in custody and found individual and systemic failings in her care.

The investigation concluded that two custody detention officers conducted unsatisfactory and inadequate checks on Ms Brandon. This included some checks which amounted to quick glances through the spyhole in the cell door,  one check which was  missed and inaccurate entries on the custody logs.

One detention officer received a final written warning. The other custody detention officer was found to have a case to answer for misconduct, but left Hampshire Constabulary during the course of the investigation and therefore cannot face any disciplinary process.

A third custody detention officer was found to have made inappropriate comments in relation to detainees in the cell block during the time of Ms Brandon’s detention. He was found to have committed misconduct and received a written warning.

Two custody sergeants who had responsibility for Southampton Custody Centre during Ms Brandon’s detention were found to have committed misconduct and were given management advice. The IPCC investigation concluded that one of these sergeants failed to ensure adequate checks were made on Ms Brandon and also failed to conduct an adequate check himself, while the other had made inappropriate and unprofessional comments during her detention.

Another sergeant who was subject to investigation was found to have acted appropriately in his handling of Ms Brandon’s time in custody and no case to answer was found.

In addition to the conclusions relating to individual officers and staff the IPCC investigation found that there were clear discrepancies between Hampshire Constabulary’s policies and procedures  and the recognised practices in the ACPO Safer Detention and Handling of Persons in Police Custody 2012, replaced by the College of Policing’s Authorised Professional Practice relating to custody. This related to the fact staff had been given training which permitted the use  of spyhole checks which is contrary to the APP guidance and also that detainees who were believed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol did not need to be placed on Level 2 observation which required rousing every 30 minutes. Ms Brandon had been placed on the minimum level of checks which did not require rousing.

IPCC Commissioner Jennifer Izekor said: “My sympathies go out to Ms Brandon’s family. This has obviously been an incredibly difficult time for them. It was evident from our investigation that Ms Brandon was a very vulnerable person who did not receive the level of care she needed while in custody. I hope and believe that Hampshire Constabulary will learn lessons from this sad case and ensure their practices are improved and their staff are properly trained.”

The IPCC will publish the investigation report as soon as it can.