Three further misconduct notices served as IOPC investigates Welsh post-custody death
Three further South Wales Police officers have been served misconduct notices in relation to the investigation surrounding the death of Mohamud Mohamed Hassan, who died in January after being held in police custody overnight.
Mr Hassan was arrested on suspicion of a breach of the peace in Cardiff on Friday, January 8, and was released without charge at around 8.30am on the morning of Saturday, January 9. He was found dead shortly after 10.30pm that day at a property on Newport Road, Roath.
Three of the notices issued by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) relate to when Mr Hassan was in custody at Cardiff Bay police station, and two concern the actions of officers who attended the Newport Road address on the evening of Mr Hassan’s arrest.
An update on the case released by the IOPC said it had served:
- a notice at gross misconduct level on a police officer who is being investigated for the adequacy of welfare checks carried out and whether these were in line with required standards, and entries the officer made on the custody record;
- a notice at misconduct level on a police officer concerning their use of force while escorting Mr Hassan shortly after he arrived at the custody suite. The IOPC is looking at whether the use of force was necessary, proportionate and reasonable in the circumstances; and
- a notice at misconduct level on a custody detention officer concerning the adequacy of welfare checks carried out, and whether these were in line with required standards.
Regarding the evening of Mr Hassan’s arrest for alleged breach of the peace, the IOPC has also served notices at misconduct level on two police officers concerning their decision-making on use of force on Mr Hassan when at the property.
IOPC Director for Wales Catrin Evans said: “In the course of an investigation, where an indication arises that an officer may have breached professional standards that may warrant a disciplinary sanction, we serve a disciplinary notice to advise them they are subject to investigation.
“We have updated Mr Hassan’s family and South Wales Police about the further misconduct notices. We keep misconduct notices under review during the course of an investigation. At the conclusion the IOPC decides whether any officer under notice has a disciplinary case to answer. As I have urged before, an investigation like this does take time and we would ask people to be patient while the investigation runs its course.”
