Sean Rigg inquest: Inspector defends custody handling

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originally by: BBC News
published: 20 July 2012

A police inspector in charge of a group of officers when a schizophrenic man died in custody has said he would act “exactly the same” under similar circumstances. 

Physically fit Sean Rigg, 40, was held by police after he attacked passers-by in Balham, south London, in 2008. Southwark Coroner’s Court heard he was not treated with extra care despite information about his mental health. He died at Brixton police station in south London.

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INQUEST response to IPCC contact deaths statistics

originally by: INQUEST
published: 9 July 2012

INQUEST response to IPCC statistics on deaths during or following police contact 2011/12

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has published its statistics for deaths during or following contact with the police occurring between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012.

In response, Deborah Coles, co-director of INQUEST said:

“The figures reveal a disturbing number of people who despite being clearly vulnerable or in distress have been taken into police custody rather than to a hospital or specialist mental health unit. This reflects INQUEST’s ongoing concerns about the way people with mental health issues are dealt with by the police, many of which are being scrutinised currently at the inquest into the death of Sean Rigg.

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Friends, family and civil rights leaders remember Rodney King

Rodney Kingoriginally by: 89.3 KPCC
published: 30 June 2012

Family, friends, a host of civil rights leaders and celebrities attended a memorial service for the late Rodney King today, two weeks after he died of an apparent accidental drowning at his home in Rialto. The service, which was held Hall of Liberty on the grounds of Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills. About a third of the hall’s 1,200 seats were full.

Those who knew King best painted a picture of a sometimes troubled but good man caught up in extraordinary circumstances. King catapulted into public consciousness after his videotaped beating at the hands of LA police officers was broadcast worldwide. He became a poster child for police misconduct, but also a catalyst for change inside the LAPD.

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