Two Met Police officers are investigated by IOPC after a man was Tasered shortly before falling to his death from a fifth floor balcony
- The man who fell from the balcony and later died is yet to be formally identified
Two Metropolitan Police officers are under investigation after a man fell to his death from a fifth floor balcony shortly after being Tasered.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is criminally investigating the actions of two cops after the incident which took place in Peckham, south London, in April.
The man who fell from the balcony and later died from his injuries is yet to be formally identified.
Both officers are under investigation for gross negligence manslaughter. One of the officers is also being investigated for unlawful act manslaughter.
The IOPC confirmed that shortly before midnight on April 11, Met officers attended a flat in a residential building on Rye Hill Park, to a report of a man shouting on a balcony.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is criminally investigating the actions of two cops (stock image) after a man fell from a balcony shortly after being Tasered in Peckham, south London, in April
They received no response from inside the flat and left, but a further report was received at around 1.25am on April 12, of a man making threats to jump from a balcony. Officers returned to the flat at around 2am and forced entry.
They tried to persuade the man to come inside from the balcony and requested that a police negotiator attend the scene.
Over the course of the next hour, some officers left the flat and two officers remained inside.
The IOPC says that evidence then indicates that an officer discharged their Taser, shortly before the man fell from the balcony railing at around 3.20am.
The man fell five floors to the ground and was transported to hospital with critical injuries. He sadly died later that day.
The police negotiator arrived at the location just before the man fell and had not entered the flat.
The IOPC said Body worn video footage has been secured and reviewed and Taser downloads will be analysed as part of their investigation.
The officers involved have also been served with gross misconduct notices for potentially breaching police standards of professional behaviour.
Shortly before midnight on April 11, Met officers attended a flat in a residential building on Rye Hill Park (pictured), to a report of a man shouting on a balcony
IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: ‘Our thoughts are with the man who died and we sincerely hope that he is formally identified and that his family are able to be notified.
‘This was a tragic incident and we recognise that the circumstances surrounding the man’s death have understandably caused concern within the community.
‘Our enquiries are still in their early stages and it’s important that we carry out a thorough, independent investigation that will be looking at the full circumstances, including the actions and decision-making of the officers who were present. Police officers are able to use force in the course of their duties and we will examine whether any force that was used was reasonable, appropriate and proportionate in these circumstances.
‘Following the conclusion of our investigation, we will decide whether to refer the matter to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision and we will determine whether any officers should face disciplinary proceedings.’
The coroner is taking forward identification and working with the MPS in search for next of kin.
A date for the inquest opening has not yet been set.
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