Officers acted appropriately over man's death, review finds

Police officers acted appropriately when dealing with events that led to the death of a man who had been detained, it has been ruled.

Joshua Cooper's death in the Kingsfield Road area of Biddulph on 26 March was drug related, an inquest heard. He had been running around the street in a distressed state and officers had called for an ambulance before handcuffing him and sitting him up.

An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) into officers conduct found their actions were in line with policy and were reasonable.

Evidence included police body worn video footage, CCTV and statements from officers involved who were treated as witnesses.

Officers had responded to reports that Cooper was running around the street in a distressed state.

He collapsed and police suspected that he was suffering from acute behavioural disturbance - symptoms include tactile hyperthermia, constant or near constant physical activity and extreme agitation or aggression.

Two officers called for an ambulance after moving Cooper, put him in handcuffs and sat him against a bin.

More officers arrived and gave him a first aid blanket, and the handcuffs were removed when he went into seizure.

CPR was under discussion as paramedics arrived to take over, the IOPC said, but Cooper was subsequently pronounced dead.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with Mr Cooper's family and all those affected by his death," said IOPC director Emily Barry.

"Our investigation, which ended in August last year, found that the actions of police were in line with policy and were reasonable, necessary and proportionate in what were difficult circumstances.

"Officers called for an ambulance immediately due to the way Mr Cooper was presenting, tried to calm him down while dealing with him in a patient and respectful way, and used appropriate force while applying handcuffs temporarily to prevent any further self-harm. Unfortunately, the efforts of the officers and the paramedics who attended were in vain."

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