A man has died in a police cell in Croydon, and the police watchdog is investigating a custody officer over an alleged missed welfare check.
Jason Mattison, 52, was found unresponsive in his cell at Windmill Road Custody Suite at around 1.30am on 21 August. He had been arrested in Croydon two days earlier, on 19 August, on a no-bail warrant issued by Croydon Magistrates’ Court after he failed to appear on charges of being drunk and disorderly. He remained in custody awaiting a court appearance.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said Mr Mattison was subject to half-hourly welfare checks. He was later found lying unresponsive on the floor of his cell. Custody staff and paramedics provided emergency first aid, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A post-mortem examination has been carried out, with further tests planned to determine the cause of death.
Officer under investigation
As part of its investigation, the IOPC has served a notice of investigation on a designated detention officer — a member of custody staff. The officer is alleged to have failed to carry out a scheduled welfare check and to have incorrectly recorded that the check had taken place.
A notice of investigation means the officer is under investigation. It is not a finding of wrongdoing, and no charges have been brought.
Amanda Rowe, the IOPC’s director of engagement, said: “This was a tragic incident in which a man has sadly died, and our thoughts are with Mr Mattison’s family and loved ones.”
She added: “When someone dies in police custody, it’s important that a thorough and independent investigation is carried out to examine all the circumstances.”
“We have met with Mr Mattison’s family to explain our role and will ensure that they are kept informed as our investigation progresses,” she said.
What we know so far
19 August: Mr Mattison is arrested in Croydon on a no-bail warrant from Croydon Magistrates’ Court, after failing to appear on charges of being drunk and disorderly. He is held at Windmill Road Custody Suite awaiting a court appearance.
21 August, around 1.30am: Mr Mattison, 52, is found unresponsive on the floor of his cell. Custody staff and paramedics give emergency first aid, but he is pronounced dead at the scene.
Now: A post-mortem has been carried out and further tests are planned to establish the cause of death. The IOPC is investigating, and has served a notice of investigation on a designated detention officer over an alleged missed welfare check.
When someone dies in police custody, the case is referred to the IOPC, which investigates independently of the force involved. The watchdog’s investigation will examine the circumstances of the death, including the welfare checks carried out while Mr Mattison was in custody.
Welfare checks are a routine safeguard in custody suites, where detainees are checked at set intervals and each check is recorded. The allegation in this case is twofold: that a scheduled check did not take place, and that the custody record wrongly showed it had.
Once its investigation is complete, the IOPC will decide whether there is evidence of misconduct or criminality. It can recommend disciplinary proceedings, refer a case to the Crown Prosecution Service, or make recommendations to prevent a similar death. Deaths in police custody are also examined by a coroner at an inquest.
Croydon has seen a series of major incidents this year. Selhurst Road in the borough is due to close for a month from December while a Victorian railway bridge is replaced, and a dog was rescued from a house fire in the borough earlier this month.
