Six Metropolitan Police officers face a gross misconduct hearing starting Monday over the death of Olaseni Lewis, a 23-year-old who died after restraint in 2010. The hearing, conducted by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), will be held in secret, barring press and public, a decision sharply criticised by the victim's family and campaigners.
Lewis died three days after being restrained by police for over 30 minutes at Bethlem Royal Hospital in south London. An inquest jury in May concluded that excessive force contributed to his death, citing disproportionate and unreasonable use of pain compliance techniques and mechanical restraints. The jury also found police failed to recognise his acute behavioural disorder as a medical emergency.
The IPCC justified the private hearing by citing a legal loophole: the case predates 2015 regulations requiring most misconduct hearings to be public. Commissioner Cindy Butts, who made the decision in August, acknowledged the gravity of the case but noted officers are not accused of wilful mistreatment, rather serious failures to follow guidance.
The Lewis family expressed 'utter shame' at the IPCC's decision, saying it erodes confidence in the organisation and the police. Deborah Coles, director of Inquest, called the secrecy 'misguided', stressing that justice cannot be served behind closed doors in a case of significant public interest.
The six officers—Simon Smith, Michael Aldridge, Stephen Boyle, Laura Curran, James Smith, and Ian Simpson—could be dismissed if gross misconduct is upheld. The hearing is expected to last a month.
