Latest news with #DeanHunkin
The Independent
4 days ago
- The Independent
Police officers sacked after man dies in custody
Two police officers have been sacked for gross misconduct over the way they dealt with a suspected drunk driver who was arrested and later died. A disciplinary panel found the actions of Pc Grant Mackenzie and Pc Dean Hunkin, from Devon & Cornwall Police, amounted to gross misconduct – and they were dismissed without notice on Thursday, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said. It follows the death of Stephen Reardon, who was arrested on July 13, 2023 in St Austell, Cornwall, on suspicion of driving while unfit through drink or drugs and failing to provide a sample of breath. The officers had appeared before a misconduct panel accused of breaching the standards appropriate to the conduct of a police officer in respect of the exercise of their duties and responsibilities in relation to Mr Reardon. The IOPC said he was handcuffed and put in the back of a police van for the journey to Newquay Police Station. He became unwell during the trip. Officers gave him first-aid in the yard of the station after he arrived at the custody unit. He was taken by ambulance to hospital where he was pronounced dead. The incident was immediately referred by the force and an independent IOPC investigation was held, along with this week's misconduct hearing. The panel ruled that Pc Mackenzie be dismissed without notice and Pc Hunkin would have been dismissed without notice if had he still been a serving police officer. 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 & Cornwall Police made an immediate referral to the IOPC following this incident 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.' Both officers are to be banned from policing as their details will be submitted to the College of Policing Barred List, the IOPC said.
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Officers dismissed after man's death in police van in Cornwall
Two police officers have been dismissed after failing to give emergency first aid to a man who died after he collapsed in the back of a police an Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation (IOPC), a misconduct hearing in Exeter found the two officers from Devon and Cornwall Police had committed gross heard how PCs Grant Mackenzie and Dean Hunkin transported Stephen Reardon in their van and during this time he suffered seizures. Devon and Cornwall Police said the misconduct panel determined PC Mackenzie would be dismissed without notice and PC Hunkin would have been dismissed without notice had he still been a serving police officer. 'Playing games' The IOPC investigation revealed the officers failed to spot Mr Reardon, 34, needed urgent medical had arrested him in St Austell for driving under the influence of drink or drugs in July Reardon was handcuffed and transported in the back of a police van for the journey to Newquay police station. The investigation found he had slumped to the floor minutes into the trip to the station and van CCTV showed him suffering seizures and visibly IOPC said PC Hunkin had said Mr Reardon was "playing games".After arriving at the custody unit, officers administered first aid in the yard of the station. He was then taken by ambulance to hospital where he was pronounced dead. PC MacKenzie had argued as he was driving the van, responsibility for monitoring Mr Reardon fell to his colleague. However the panel deemed both officers had joint responsibility and should have offered early medical assistance. IOPC director Derrick Campbell said: "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. "This is a tragic case. I express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Reardon for their loss." Devon and Cornwall Police said the two officers' details would be submitted to the College of Policing Barred List, which would prevent them from working within 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."
