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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Sean Rigg death: Custody officer suspended | Sean Rigg death: Custody officer suspended |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A Metropolitan Police officer facing a possible gross misconduct hearing following the death in custody of a mentally ill man has been suspended. | A Metropolitan Police officer facing a possible gross misconduct hearing following the death in custody of a mentally ill man has been suspended. |
| 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 Sgt White had requested to retire, which would have meant he avoided a misconduct hearing. | The BBC understands Sgt White had requested to retire, which would have meant he avoided a misconduct hearing. |
| Campaigners said it is only because of pressure from the Rigg family that Sgt White's retirement was rejected. | Campaigners said it is only because of pressure from the Rigg family that Sgt White's retirement was rejected. |
| It is understood the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) told the Met that Sgt White and another officer should face a misconduct hearing. | It is understood the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) told the Met that Sgt White and another officer should face a misconduct hearing. |
| Regulations were changed in December, meaning a police officer can now be pursued for gross misconduct even if they retire or resign. | 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 have applied to this case because of its age, the IOPC said. | However, the changes would not have applied to this case because of its age, the IOPC said. |
| 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. | 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. |
| A Met spokesman confirmed "a sergeant investigated by the IOPC in connection with the death of Sean Rigg" has been suspended and had his request to retire "rescinded". | A Met spokesman confirmed "a sergeant investigated by the IOPC in connection with the death of Sean Rigg" has been suspended and had his request to retire "rescinded". |
| Until Friday Sgt White had been a serving officer "on restricted duties", he added. | Until Friday Sgt White had been a serving officer "on restricted duties", he added. |
| Deborah Coles, director of criminal justice charity Inquest, said Sgt White would have avoided disciplinary action if not for the pressure put on police by the Rigg family. | Deborah Coles, director of criminal justice charity Inquest, said Sgt White would have avoided disciplinary action if not for the pressure put on police by the Rigg family. |
| "Bereaved families should not have to do the job of the Metropolitan Police and IOPC and fight to ensure there is accountability," she added. | "Bereaved families should not have to do the job of the Metropolitan Police and IOPC and fight to ensure there is accountability," she added. |
| "Yet again the police complaints process has been brought into disrepute. Police officers are public servants and cannot be above the law." | "Yet again the police complaints process has been brought into disrepute. Police officers are public servants and cannot be above the law." |
| Mr Rigg's sister Marcia said she was "appalled" the officer might have avoided a hearing. | |
| She was preparing to ask the IOPC to go to the High Court if Sgt White's retirement had been approved. | She was preparing to ask the IOPC to go to the High Court if Sgt White's retirement had been approved. |
| 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. | 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. |
| He would have had his 50th birthday on 11 February. | He would have had his 50th birthday on 11 February. |
| 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. |