I Can’t Breathe Black and Dead in Custody

Kevin Clark and Sheku Bayo Cases: Deaths in Police Custody in the UK

Introduction

• The report investigates the deaths of Kevin Clark and Sheku Bayo while in police custody in the UK, raising questions about excessive force, potential cover-ups, and racial bias.

Kevin Clark's Case

• Kevin Clark, a 35-year-old black man with paranoid schizophrenia, died after being restrained by police in Southeast London.

• Police were called by Kevin's support team due to concerns about a relapse.

• Initial assessment: An officer initially deemed Kevin not a threat.

• Later: Kevin was found disoriented and in a psychotic episode in a school playing field.

• Witness account: Marco Piccini described Kevin as someone needing help and not appearing violent.

Police Intervention and Restraint

• Police arrived and, recognizing a mental health episode, called an ambulance.

• Body cam footage captured the incident.

• An officer claimed Kevin demonstrated extraordinary strength and broke her hand; however, an expert analyzing the footage suggested Kevin was reaching for help, and he withdrew his hand when the officer claimed he was hurting her.

• Decision to restrain: Police decided to restrain Kevin.

• Professor Leslie Thomas QC noted Kevin was not a threat and questioned the immediate decision of officers to restrain him.

• Kevin was handcuffed, and officers requested leg restraints.

• Allegations of aggression: Officers claimed Kevin became aggressive, but witnesses dispute this.

• Commander Bas Javed initially defended the restraint, suggesting Kevin might have harmed himself or others, but later conceded the restraint was inappropriate.

• Disproportionate force: Black people are three times more likely to have force used against them than their white counterparts.

• Commander Javed acknowledged the disproportion and the existence of racial discrimination and bias within the police force.

• Kevin repeatedly said, "I can't breathe. You're killing me."

• Lack of urgency: Police and paramedics were slow to assess Kevin properly.

• Kevin was forced to walk to the ambulance while still restrained, with an officer pulling him by his hood.

• Nineteen minutes into the restraint, Kevin became barely conscious and died.

• A review prior to Kevin's death highlighted concerns about police stereotyping black people based on perceived size and strength.

• Officers described Kevin as a huge man with superhuman strength.

• Statistics: Black individuals in the UK are more than twice as likely as white individuals to die in or following police custody.

• Inquest: A jury delivered a narrative verdict, deeply critical of the police and ambulance service, stating the restraint and forced walking contributed to Kevin's death.

• The Metropolitan Police apologized.

Sheku Bayo's Case

• Sheku Bayo died in police custody in Fife, Scotland, after being detained for erratic behavior.

• Bayo had taken MDMA and Flakka, leading to aggressive behavior.

• Police were called after reports of a man with a knife.

• Upon arrival, Bayo no longer had the knife but was quickly subdued with CS spray and batons.

• A witness reported seeing up to six officers kneeling on Bayo, who screamed, "Get off me."

• Bayo became unconscious and died.

• Cause of death: Sudden death due to drug intoxication while being restrained.

• Post-mortem: Revealed 23 separate injuries, including a broken rib and deep cuts.

• Allegations of violent attack: The Scottish Police Federation claimed Bayo violently attacked a female officer, Nicole Short, who was allegedly stamped on.

• Civilian witness account: Kevin Nelson, a civilian witness, stated that Bayo punched Short but did not stamp on her.

• CCTV footage: Supported Nelson's account, showing the altercation was brief.

• Contradictory statements: Officers B (Craig Walker) and C (Ashley Tomlinson) claimed Bayo viciously stamped on Short, while Short herself was unsure if she was conscious and only heard about the stamping later.

• Former commissioner Mike Franklin noted the serious conflict in the evidence.

• Nelson stated he came forward to correct the false narrative and clear Bayo's name.

• Crown Office: No officer faced criminal charges; a public inquiry is underway.

• Police Scotland: Expressed condolences and will participate fully in the inquiry.

• Perk: Its investigation was detailed and extensive but cannot comment due to the public inquiry.

• Scottish Police Federation: Claims its members cooperated fully and truthfully and that compelling material existed showing Bayo stamped on Short.

Shared Concerns and Implications

• Deborah Coles (Inquest): Believes race was a factor in both deaths, with attempts to justify actions based on perceived dangerousness and extraordinary strength of the men.

• Racial stereotyping: Equates black men with dangerousness and violence, potentially influencing police culture and practice.

• Calls for accountability: Kevin Clark's family seeks accountability and real change in the perception and response to black people by the police.

• The public inquiry into Sheku Bayo's death will investigate whether race was a factor.

• Statistics: Black individuals in the UK are more than twice as likely as white individuals to die in or following police custody.

Conclusion

• The cases of Kevin Clark and Sheku Bayo highlight critical issues regarding police conduct, restraint techniques, and potential racial bias. The ongoing inquiries and calls for accountability seek to address these concerns and prevent future tragedies.

Formulas and Equations

• No formulas or equations were mentioned in the transcript.