IOPC launches investigation into Oldham custody death
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after a man died in custody.
Officers had been responding to reports of a domestic disturbance at a property in Oldham on Friday (July 6) at around 11.35pm and a male in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of breach of the peace.
During the arrest, officers used CS spray to detain him and on arrival to Ashton Police Station he was found to be unresponsive in the back of the police van.
He was then taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Chief Superintendent Neil Evans, GMP’s territorial commander for Oldham and Tameside, said: “Last night we received a report of a domestic disturbance at a property in Oldham.
“Local officers swiftly responded to the incident and arrested a man on suspicion of breach of the peace. During the arrest attempts, the officers deployed CS spray before putting him in the back of a van.
“On arrival at Ashton Police Station, the man was found to be unresponsive and he was taken to hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead. We have since been providing his family with support from specially trained officers at this difficult time.
“We have made a mandatory referral to the IOPC who are independently investigating, and we will continue to co-operate with them fully.”