Police officers and staff to face misconduct proceedings after church caretaker custody death

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A Devon and Cornwall Police sergeant, two detention officers and three police constables will face misconduct hearings, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.

Thomas Orchard, 32, died in hospital seven days after being arrested and brought to Heavitree Road police station in Exeter, Devon, in October 2012.

 

Mr Orchard, who had paranoid schizophrenia, was held down, handcuffed and a large webbing belt designed to restrain arms and legs was placed across his face.

In March last year, custody sergeant Jan Kingshott, and civilian detention officers Simon Tansley, and Michael Marsden, were found not guilty of Mr Orchard’s manslaughter by gross negligence.

The IOPC, which investigated the circumstances surrounding Mr Orchard’s death, submitted a report stating that seven officers and staff had cases to answer for gross misconduct.

IPCC/CPS/PA Wire

 

A spokeswoman for the police watchdog said Devon and Cornwall Police disagreed with this and so the IOPC has directed the force to hold misconduct proceedings for six officers and staff.

These will relate to “allegations over their use of force”, the IOPC spokeswoman said.

In a statement issued through the charity Inquest, Mr Orchard’s family said: “Since the trial a year ago, in which one of the officers and the two custody officers were found not guilty of manslaughter, our family…

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