'˜No misconduct issues' for Derbyshire Police after man's death in Chesterfield

The IPCC investigated the circumstances surrounding police contact and the subsequent death of Mr Stokes who was arrested as part of a pre-planned drugs operation on 19 April 2013.

Mr Stokes was in a car pursued by police at speeds of up to 130mph from the A617, near Chesterfield, to the junction of Calow Lane.

Arresting officers believed he had something hidden in his mouth but following a search of his mouth no drugs were recovered. Mr Stokes then became unwell as he was being transported to Chesterfield Police Station. The police van was diverted to hospital where he died shortly afterwards.

An inquest which concluded at Chesterfield on Friday, 15 July, returned a finding of misadventure and cocaine toxicity was given as the cause of death.

The IPCC could not establish at what point the cocaine was swallowed and was unable to make a complete determination around the duty of care afforded by officers to Mr Stokes. However the investigation found no issues in relation to the use of force during his detention and no injuries were found to have caused or contributed to his death.

The tactical plan had been for police to ‘box in’ the car Mr Stokes was travelling in to avoid a pursuit and opportunity for disposal of evidence. The apparent lack of a risk assessment in the event of that plan failing was highlighted as a learning point for the force.

The IPCC’s investigation report is expected to be published in due course.