BROGDEN DEATH IN CUSTODY
2 May 2002 04:11 PM
Following the death of Mr Gareth Brogden, aged 18, in February 2000
while in the custody of Cleveland Police, one police constable has
received a reprimand and two police constables have received formal
written warnings. The custody sergeant would have faced a similar
hearing but has retired from the police force. All police staff
present during the incident have received advice as to their handling
of the incident. The investigation into his death was supervised by
the independent Police Complaints Authority. Ms Diane Hughes,
Authority Member, announced today the disciplinary outcome of the
investigation.
BACKGROUND
On 14 February 2000 at 9:40 p.m., Cleveland Police officers went to
stop a teenager Gareth Brogden about possible motoring offences.
During a search, he was thought to have placed drugs wrapped in
tissue in his mouth and was seen to spit out a white mucous
substance.
Gareth Brogden was transported to Hartlepool Police station. He
arrived at the Custody Suite at 10:10 p.m. At this point Gareth was
having trouble breathing and soon after collapsed to his knees. The
events were captured on closed circuit television.
On arrival at hospital, Gareth was not breathing and resuscitation
techniques were used. During this time hospital staff removed a
package from Gareth's throat, which later was confirmed as a paper
towel and a condom containing heroin.
On 29th February 2002 Mr Brogden died as a result of heart failure
and his life support machine was switched off.
The post-mortem recorded the cause of death as hypoxic brain damage
due to inhalation of a foreign object and a morphine overdose.
PCA member Mr Tony Williams supervised the investigation into
complaints made by Mr Brogden's next of kin, which was carried out by
Superintendent Dave Brunskill of the Professional Standards
Department of Cleveland Police.
HEARING
On the direction of the Authority one police constable, who was
acting-sergeant at the arrest, appeared before a misconduct tribunal
on 25 April 2002 in Middlesbrough to answer an allegation of neglect
of duty. The officer admitted the breach unconditionally and he
received a reprimand.
The custody sergeant would have faced a similar hearing but has
recently retired from the police service having reached the statutory
retirement age and following a period of ill health.
Two police constables have received formal Superintendent's Written
Warnings for similar neglects: and all police staff present during
the incident have received advice as to their handling of the
incident.
EDITOR'S NOTE
The PCA has the legal power to 'direct' a hearing when a police force
refuses to implement the Authority's recommendation for such action.
Press Releases: www.gnn.gov.uk
PCA website: www.pca.gov.uk
Further information: Mike Delaney/ Richard Offer/ Samantha Louch:
020 7273 8029/ 6483/ 6402.