The Independent Office for Police Conduct has confirmed it will not investigate an incident which saw a man die after police were called to reports that someone had a knife and was behaving erratically.
Officers were called at 8.07pm on Thursday, July 22 to a residential address in James Gardens, Haringey to find the man in clear distress.
The incident had been passed to The Independent Office for Police Conduct but after considering all the evidence it has confirmed the Met Police should investigate the incident and death.
Officers who were called to the incident, attempted to calm him and, realising he required medical help, swiftly requested the assistance of the London Ambulance Service (LAS).
The Met said that fearing he may harm himself or others, handcuffs were briefly applied by officers to prevent the man from doing this.
He was then transported by London Ambulance Service to a north London hospital, where his condition deteriorated. He died at 6.56pm on Saturday July 24.
Detective Chief Inspector Aman Dhaliwal of the DPS is the senior investigating officer overseeing the investigation. He said: "First and foremost, I want to reiterate that our thoughts are with the friends and family of the deceased, who have lost him in very sudden and upsetting circumstances.
"The MPS alerted the Independent Office for Police Conduct as soon as the man was taken unwell, as is our procedure, and a formal referral was later submitted to the IOPC. We have now been informed that, having been presented with all of the available evidence, the IOPC have referred the investigation back to the MPS to be progressed locally by the DPS."
As is procedure in these circumstances, the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards were informed and made a referral to the Independent Offirce for Police Conduct.
Chief Superintendent Treena Fleming, Commander for policing in Haringey and Enfield, said: “This was a very distressing incident, and our thoughts here at North Area are with the man’s family and friends at this very difficult time. A thorough investigation is under way to fully understand the circumstances.
"Our officers were responding to a call for their help and bravely intervened in a very upsetting scene for those who were witnessing it. They prevented the male from receiving further injuries and sought urgent medical attention for him, alongside providing support to the family and ensuring no-one else was injured in the incident.
"I would respectfully ask that people avoid speculation at this time. A full review of body worn video will take place and accounts will be obtained from the officers and any other witnesses to the incident. Again, I would stress that such actions are usual in these cases so that we are as transparent as possible in such circumstances and I will ensure that we release further information on the incident as and when we are able to.”
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