Police Warned Over Restraining Techniques

Police officers have been advised to review their restraining techniques and ensure people aren't struggling to breathe when apprehended, following an incident in September 2018.

A Police Ombudsman investigation has found that a man appeared to pass out due to difficulty breathing while being taken into police custody.

Lying across the back seat of a police car, he was being transported from L'Derry to a custody suite in Coleraine.

After struggling with police and being aggressive following the arrest, the man was cuffed behind his back and placed in leg restraints.

Body worn video footage examined by the Ombudsman showed the man becoming less active and informing the officers of his breathing difficulties, before making gurgling noises and becoming quiet and motionless.

The officers stopped the car and checked his condition before adjusting him into a more suitable upright position. It was seen that the man become immediately aggressive once he came round.

Officers had requested the use of a cell van for the journey but none had been available. The man was examined by a police doctor upon arrival in custody.

Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson is urging officers to be aware that certain restraint techniques could interfere with people's ability to breath and therefore have potentially fatal consequences.

The phenomenon known as 'positional asphyxia' causes people to have difficulty breathing due to the positioning of their body. A face down position is recognised as a risk factor, as are alcohol or drugs.

"It can happen to people who are being restrained, and is also known to be a risk for infants if the positioning of their head and body obstructs their breathing," said Mrs Anderson.

"I know that police have provided training on this issue, and guidance for officers is available on the PSNI website. I would urge police officers to refresh their knowledge of the guidance so that they remain mindful of the risks of certain restraint techniques and alert to the danger signs of positional asphyxia."

The police officer who had been in the rear of the police car said he could not recall the man having been lying face down for a long period of time.

He acknowledged that he had received training and was aware of police guidance on positional asphyxia, and said he had tried to ensure that the man had enough air and room to breathe.

However, the Police Ombudsman found that the officer should have been more alert to the risks of a person being restrained while face down, and to danger signs such as the person making gurgling noises.

It was recommended that the officer be disciplined. The PSNI accepted that there had been failings and the officer in question was given advice and feedback by his line management.



(JG/CM)