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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Sean Rigg death: Custody officer 'trying to retire' | Sean Rigg death: Custody officer 'trying to retire' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A Met Police officer facing a possible gross misconduct hearing following the death in custody of a mentally ill man is attempting to retire from the force. | A Met Police officer facing a possible gross misconduct hearing following the death in custody of a mentally ill man is attempting to retire from the force. |
| Sgt Paul White was the custody officer when Sean Rigg died at Brixton police station in south London in 2008. | Sgt Paul White was the custody officer when Sean Rigg died at Brixton police station in south London in 2008. |
| The BBC understands the police watchdog has directed the Met that Sgt White and another officer should face a gross misconduct hearing. | The BBC understands the police watchdog has directed the Met that Sgt White and another officer should face a gross misconduct hearing. |
| The officer would not face a hearing if he did retire, the watchdog said. | The officer would not face a hearing if he did retire, the watchdog said. |
| Mr Rigg's sister Marcia said she was "appalled" that the officer could avoid a hearing. | |
| Regulations were changed in December, meaning a police officer can now be pursued for gross misconduct even if they retire or resign. | |
| However, the changes would not apply to this case because of its age, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed. | However, the changes would not apply to this case because of its age, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed. |
| Under those rules the only the way the Met could prevent an officer who is subject to a misconduct investigation from retiring is by suspending them. | |
| The police watchdog said it was aware of the officer's retirement request. | |
| "The IOPC has made representations on this and is awaiting confirmation from the Metropolitan Police as to the course of action it will take," a spokesperson said. | |
| In a statement, Scotland Yard said it would be "inappropriate to confirm the retirement plans of any officer ahead of their actual retirement". | |
| They confirmed "a sergeant investigated by the IOPC in connection with the death of Sean Rigg remains a serving officer at this stage" and "is currently on restricted duties." | |
| They added the force "has responded to the IOPC about its findings." | |
| Ms Rigg said if the Met allows the officer to retire, the police watchdog "must have the courage of its own convictions and ask the High Court to step in... to block Paul White's planned retirement". | |
| In 2012, an inquest jury found police had used unsuitable force when they arrested Mr Rigg, a 40-year-old musician, who was a paranoid schizophrenic. | |
| He was handcuffed, forcefully restrained face down and confined in a police van. | He was handcuffed, forcefully restrained face down and confined in a police van. |
| Mr Rigg collapsed after arriving at the station, where he had been put in a holding area, and died from a heart attack. | Mr Rigg collapsed after arriving at the station, where he had been put in a holding area, and died from a heart attack. |
| Last year, the Crown Prosecution Service decided none of the police officers should be prosecuted over his death. | Last year, the Crown Prosecution Service decided none of the police officers should be prosecuted over his death. |
| Sgt White stood trial for perjury in 2016 and was acquitted. | Sgt White stood trial for perjury in 2016 and was acquitted. |