Officers dismissed following investigation into detainee’s death in back of police van
Two officers who failed to provide emergency first aid to a man who died after collapsing in the back of their police van committed gross misconduct, a disciplinary panel has found.
PCs Grant Mackenzie and Dean Hunkin of Devon and Cornwall Police transported Stephen Reardon in the van’s secure holding area for almost 40 minutes after his arrest for driving under the influence of drink or drugs in St Austell on July 13, 2023.
Mr Reardon slumped to the floor just minutes into the 17-mile trip to Newquay police station and van CCTV showed him suffering seizures and visibly trembling.
An Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation revealed the officers failed to spot the 34-year-old needed urgent medical attention with PC Hunkin saying Mr Reardon was “playing games” when seeing him shaking and unresponsive through the van’s Perspex divide.
The IOPC said: “Our investigators discovered Mr Reardon’s name was called out by the officers 63 times during the journey to custody. However, despite him not responding and spending 22 minutes on the van floor, they failed to stop and assess his condition.”
Mr Reardon was found unconscious and not breathing when removed from the van in the police station car park at 11.23am. He was given CPR and paramedics attended but he could not be revived and was pronounced dead later that day in hospital.
A small bag was found lodged in his airway which footage recovered from the van’s CCTV indicated Mr Reardon pushed into his mouth before the journey began having taken it from inside his pants while front handcuffed.
PC MacKenzie had argued that, as he was driving the van, responsibility for monitoring Mr Reardon fell to his junior colleague. However, the panel deemed both officers had joint responsibility and should have offered early medical assistance to Mr Reardon.
A police misconduct hearing in Exeter concluded on Thursday (August 14) that the officers had committed gross misconduct. They were found in breach of the duties and responsibilities standard of professional behaviour.
PC Mackenzie – who had worked with Devon and Cornwall Police for six years – was dismissed with immediate effect, while PC Hunkin, who was new in post and being mentored at the time, would also have been sacked had he not already resigned.
Both were placed on the College of Police’s Barred List preventing them from working in policing again in the future.
IOPC Director Derrick Campbell, said: “Police guidance on safe transportation of detainees states every detainee must be properly supervised and monitored… and that officers should react to any situation that may arise.
“Both officers were first aid trained but neither checked on Mr Reardon or provided any intervention until around 24 minutes after he collapsed onto the van floor.
“Even when the van was stationary at the custody gates, there was still no urgency on the part of either officer to commence first aid, despite them being aware he’d been unresponsive for at least seven minutes.
“None of the attending officers seemed to take responsibility for Mr Reardon’s supervision and he was not thoroughly searched. And we found no evidence of discussions over moving the handcuffs from the front to the rear in line with local and national policy. It meant Mr Reardon was able to put a package into his mouth, undetected, before the journey began.
“This is a tragic case. I express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Reardon for their loss.”
Mr Reardon was arrested after Devon and Cornwall Police responded to reports of a vehicle being driven dangerously on the A390 in Truro just after 10am on July 13, 2023.
The force referred the matter to the IOPC later that day, following Mr Reardon’s death, and the decision made to conduct an independent investigation.
“Our investigators carried out detailed enquiries over many months including CCTV examination, house-to-house enquiries, forensic analysis of the police van, statements from police officers, and reviews of body-worn video footage,” the IOPC said.
“We found no case to answer in relation to four other officers who also attended the 999 call and were involved in Mr Reardon’s arrest.”
The investigation found some learning for Devon and Cornwall Police, which the force has accepted.
It includes reviewing policy and training relating to the supervision of detainees during transportation, including the type and frequency of checks, and to review policies and procedures in respect of officer mentoring and tutoring.
“As part of our investigation, we also looked at whether the officers’ actions may have caused or contributed to Mr Reardon’s death,” the IOPC said. “Our report and findings have been provided to HM Coroner to assist with coronial proceedings and we will release our full findings following the inquest’s conclusion.”
Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Mr Reardon who have our utmost sympathy.
“Through their actions, the officers undermined public trust and confidence in the force and did not fulfil their duties and responsibilities towards Mr Reardon.
“Devon and Cornwall Police made an immediate referral to the IOPC following this incident on 13 July 2023 and has fully co-operated with the subsequent independent investigation.
“Due to Mr Reardon’s forthcoming inquest, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”