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Brixton custody death review

Police could face misconduct proceedings over the way they dealt with a musician who died in custody, in the wake of a review published today. Sean Rigg died in August 2008 while he was being held at Brixton police station.

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Shadow home secretary warns of future problems

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper says IPCC has insufficient resources Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said:

"This independent review shows the serious failings that occurred with the IPCC investigation into Sean Rigg's death.

The IPCC is currently dealing with the largest and most complex investigations in its history, but with insufficient resources. The Home Secretary's solution to transfer police officers from the standards departments of police forces just risks building up further problems for the future.

Instead, we continue to believe that the IPCC should be replaced with a new Police Standards Authority with stronger powers and processes."

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Family: We shouldn't have been made to wait 5 years

Marcia Collins, the sister of Sean Riggs told Daybreak that she is happy that the IPCC has apologised to her family.

Last year an inquest into Sean Rigg's death found that officers had used "unsuitable force" when he died in Brixton police station in 2008.

Marcia said: "It's been a long struggle, we shouldn't have had wait five years to get to this stage."

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Sean Rigg case review finds IPCC should look again

A review published today has said that police could face misconduct proceedings over the way they dealt with a musician who died in custody.

The inquest into the death of Sean Rigg, who died in August 2008 while he was held at Brixton police station found that officers had used "unsuitable force".

Sean Rigg, who died from a cardiac arrest at Brixton police station in August 2008 Credit: Hickman & Rose Solicitors/PA Wire

The 40-year-old schizophrenic was arrested for attacking a passer by and police officers in Balham, south London.

Today, a review found that the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) should look again at whether police officers should face misconduct proceedings for the way they dealt with him.

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Review: Sean Rigg was well-known to the police

A review of the way police dealt with Sean Rigg, who died while he was being held at Brixton police station, was set up by the IPCC to re-examine its own investigation into Mr Rigg's death.

The report found:

The review recommends that the IPCC reconsider the conduct of the police officers involved in the apprehension, restraint and detention of Mr Rigg, in relation to possible breaches of their duty of care, with a view to determining whether to bring misconduct proceedings.

It added:

The four officers did not check the name on the 'stolen' passport with police records that would have flagged Mr Rigg's mental health needs and could have alerted them to the fact that the person they were dealing with was actually Mr Rigg.

He was well-known to the police through repeated past contact with the police and mental health services.

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Sister: Our pursuit of justice has hopefully contributed

Marcia Collins, Sean Rigg's sister Credit: Katie Collins/PA Archive

The sister of Sean Rigg, who died while he was being held at Brixton police station in 2008, has welcomed a review which said the IPCC should look again at whether police officers should face misconduct proceedings for the way they dealt with Rigg.

She said: "It is the family's strong opinion that possible criminal offences should also be considered afresh."

"My family's pursuit of justice and our dignified determination to arrive at a truly clear picture of what happened," she added, "has hopefully contributed to real and positive change into the way the IPCC and all key agencies should fulfil their obligations, by law, into a death in custody."

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