Misconduct hearing for three Sussex Police officers following the death of Duncan Tomlin, to start on Monday

24 July 2018

Office of the Police Crime Commissioner, Sackville House, Lewes, BN7 2FZ
10am - Monday 30 July 2018, expected to last up to five days

To attend the misconduct hearing, you must register here before midday Friday 27 July.
 
A misconduct hearing into the conduct of three Sussex Police officers, following the death of Duncan Tomlin, is to start at 10am on Monday 30 July.

Duncan, 32, died in 2014 in Haywards Heath. He became unresponsive after being restrained by police and placed into a police van. The full notice for the hearing is available on the Sussex Police website.

If the allegations are proven, they have been assessed as amounting to gross misconduct.

Police Sergeant Glasspool will answer allegations which, in summary, are that he:

  • Failed to properly supervise and manage the control and restraint of Duncan Tomlin on arrival at the scene, including; the failure to consider procedure on the after care for use of Captor spray, and on addressing positional asphyxia and breathing concerns.
  • Failed to identify that Duncan’s condition should be treated as a medical emergency requiring immediate transportation to hospital rather than custody.
  • Failed to provide an appropriate level of care in the continued restraint of Duncan in the rear of the van leading to a risk of positional asphyxia.
  • Failed to supervise other officers in the control and restraint of Duncan in a prone position within the police van leading to a risk of positional asphyxia.
  • Failed to immediately remove or order colleagues to immediately remove the handcuffs and limb restraints after it was apparent that Duncan required medical treatment.

Police Constable Jewell and Police Constable Jackson will answer allegations that, in summary, they:

  • Restrained Duncan in a prone position within the police van leading to a risk of positional asphyxia.
  • Failed to provide an appropriate level of care to Duncan by failing to expeditiously remove the handcuffs and limb restraints after it was apparent that Duncan required medical treatment.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

For further information, please contact Lucy McKay or Sarah Uncles on 020 7263 1111 or [email protected] and [email protected]
 
INQUEST has been working with the family of Duncan Tomlin since August 2014. The family is represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Helen Stone of Hickman and Rose and Jude Bunting of Doughty Street Chambers.