Witness appeal as IOPC investigates death of man who was in contact with Cheshire officers

Key findings

• The man was stopped and searched by an officer on Stratford Road, Chester.
• He was briefly handcuffed before swallowing a package.
• He became unwell shortly after and officers began CPR.
• Paramedics were called but he was pronounced dead in hospital.
• A post-mortem was carried out to determine the cause of death.
• Initial accounts from the officers involved have been obtained.
• Body-worn video footage and CCTV evidence have been collected.
• Witness appeals have been issued for those present during the incident.

Outcome

The investigation is ongoing with an emphasis on gathering witness statements and evidence to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident.