The Met has cleared two of its officers of gross misconduct charges in connection with the 2023 death at the Windmill Road custody centre in Selhurst of Mikias Tekeste.
Poor search: the Windmill Road custody centre in Selhurst
PCs Justin Hulf and Mara Sow, both attached to the South Area Command Unit, had been accused of failing to properly care for Tekeste, who died having swallowed drugs which he had managed to bring with him when taken into custody.
Windmill Road is the same Croydon custody centre where Sergeant Matt Ratana was shot dead in 2020 after a suspect, despite a body search by officers, managed to bring a pistol into the police station.
In this latest case, a hearing was held on Thursday at which allegations that PCs Hulf and Sow failed to care for a man properly were found to be “not proven”.
The hearing had been directed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct after the Met disagreed with its assessment the officers had a case to answer for gross misconduct.
Detective Chief Superintendent Nick Blackburn, the recently appointed borough commander for Croydon, Bromley and Sutton, said: “Our officers have a clear duty of care to those in their custody. However, Mr Tekeste was responsible for his actions that day and knowingly swallowed drugs.
Death in custody: Mikias Tekeste still had drugs on him after being arrested and searched
“The hearing has found that the officers with him in the police van that day acted appropriately.
“Our thoughts remain with Mr Tekeste’s family and friends for their loss.”
On July 15, 2023, PCs Hulf and Sow identified Tekeste as wanted on recall to prison.
Tekeste was homeless at the time. As he was arrested, he threw away a quantity of Class A drugs. According to the Met, “He was searched and placed in a police van to be transported to Croydon custody centre.
“During the journey, he removed two small packages from his trousers and swallowed them. The officers did not see him doing so.”
A drugs test conducted by Tekeste at the centre came back positive for cocaine and opiates. He was further arrested for possession with intent to supply drugs and placed on 30-minute observations. He became unwell in the cell and had multiple seizures before falling unconscious. Emergency medical care was provided and paramedics attended.
Tekeste was taken to hospital but died from cocaine toxicity. He was 30 years old.
The matter was referred to the IOPC.
The IOPC investigation concluded that while the search of Tekeste was appropriate, there was inadequate supervision in the police van and PCs Hulf and Sow should face a gross misconduct hearing.
This week, the Met said that the disciplinary panel found the officers “acted correctly”.
They said: “Mr Tekeste deliberately concealed his actions while swallowing the drugs inside the police van. The risk assessment applied by the officers was accurate with the information they held at the time and the level of supervision and observation was adequate.”
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