IPCC publishes findings from investigation into death of Marcus Cottoy
24 Jan 2011 02:08 PM
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has found that Thames Valley Police (TVP) officers and staff acted professionally when dealing with a man in their custody who later died of cocaine toxicity.
Marcus Cottoy , 31, of High Wycombe, died on 22 March 2009. He had been arrested and taken in to custody earlier that day, but was transferred to a local psychiatric unit that afternoon where he became very ill. He was taken to Stoke Mandeville Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 4.44pm. During the post mortem, it was discovered that Mr Cottoy had three wraps of cocaine in his bowel and large intestine, one of which had ruptured.
Following the conclusion of the inquest on Tuesday 11 January 2011, which returned a verdict of misadventure, the IPCC can now publish the findings of its investigation.
Mr Cottoy was arrested at the King George V pub in High Wycombe in the early hours of 22 March 2009. Mr Cottoy made numerous requests to police officers asking to be arrested and explaining he had not slept for days. He was subsequently arrested for criminal damage after a window at the pub was smashed.
Mr Cottoy was taken to Amersham Police Station, where a Custody Sergeant carried out a risk assessment and a Forensic Medical Examiner (FME) deemed him fit to be detained but not to be interviewed until later that morning. The investigation found that the custody staff regularly checked Mr Cottoy throughout the night, noting nothing of concern.
At 5.35am Mr Cottoy spoke to the Custody Sergeant and, as Mr Cottoy exhibited signs of paranoia, the Sergeant requested the FME re-examine him. During the consultation, at approximately 6.30am, Mr Cottoy told the doctor that he had been on a cocaine binge for the last three days or so. The doctor recorded that Mr Cottoy was agitated, paranoid and required a full mental health assessment. Mr Cottoy was constantly supervised from this point until the Mental Health Team (MHT) arrived at 11am.
IPCC Commissioner Mike Franklin said: "The police officers called to the pub showed real concern for Mr Cottoy ’s welfare, encouraging him to leave quietly and offering to take him home. They only arrested him when they had little choice but to do so. The Custody Sergeant and staff at Amersham Police Station also acted appropriately, regularly checking on Mr Cottoy and seeking medical advice when they felt it necessary.”
"I am concerned that it took more than four hours of the MHT to arrive. I believe it would have been distressing for Mr Cottoy to be kept in a cell for this extra length of time and it also put additional pressue and demands on police resources."
The IPCC asked the MHT consider if changes to procedures would ensure earlier attendance and that a formal protocol be agreed between TVP and Oxford and Buckinghamshire NHS Mental Health Foundation Trust (OBMH). We have also advised that, when there are unavoidable delays, the custody suite is promptly informed so alternative action can be considered.
Following an assessment by the MHT, Mr Cottoy was sectioned and taken by police to a local psychiatric unit. A Mental Health Nurse phoned ahead to make arrangements, and a Mental Health Social Worker explained what was happening to Mr Cottoy and contacted his mother.
En-route Mr Cottoy became increasingly agitated, shouting at officers, twisting his handcuffs and banging into the sides of the detention cage. Following his arrival at the psychiatric unit at approximately 1.45pm and due to his aggressive nature, Mr Cottoy remained in the back of the police van for approximately 40 minutes before he was taken inside the psychiatric unit.
IPCC Commissioner Mike Franklin continued: "The amount of time that it took to admit Mr Cottoy to the psychiatric unit was a source of frustration and concern for the police officers involved. The delay was caused by staff having to formulate a plan to admit Mr Cottoy , as it is rare for a patient to arrive in such circumstances. While he was in the van waiting to be admitted a Doctor read Mr Cottoy 's section papers and assessed him in person while staff were preparing a room and medication.
"The IPCC therefore recommended that, where possible, section papers are faxed to the psychiatric unit once the admission of a patient has been agreed and prior to the patient arriving. It was further recommended that a working protocol be created by TVP and OBMH to provide guidelines to ensure detainees be admitted and receive treatment as soon as possible. I have been informed that TVP and OBMH have considered our recommendations and addressed each issue and I welcome that."