Oladeji Omishore’s family said the “credibility and the purpose” of his inquest was lost after the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) cleared the Metropolitan Police officers of misconduct
Two police officers “had a case to answer” – but were cleared of misconduct – after a man died shortly after being tasered and jumping from a bridge.
Oladeji Omishore, 41, died after a confrontation with the officers, who had been called when he was seen shouting and holding up what one witness thought was a screwdriver. Mr Omishore was suffering a mental health relapse on Chelsea bridge in west London.
But bodycam footage played at Mr Omishore inquest shows the officers confront the man and taser him five times for refusing to comply with three separate requests. Mr Omishore ran towards the bridge barrier and jumped over the bridge railings, but neither had impact. He then jumped over the railing and fell into the River Thames.
However, police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has decided neither officer was responsible of misconduct after the jury at Inner West London Coroner’s Court did not conclude the actions of the officers probably caused his death.
Family of Black man Tasered by cops call for ‘fearless’ investigation into his death
Speaking after the verdict, Mr Omishore’s sister, Aisha, said: “We are disappointed with this conclusion, which reflects the limitations on what the jury were asked by the coroner.
“There were serious questions to be answered in this case, concerning how the police deal with mental health issues, their training and their emphasis placed on the use of force including tasers. None of that has, in our view, been properly explored or reflected in the conclusion, and the credibility and the purpose of this whole inquest has been lost.”
Mr Omishore died in hospital on the same day – on June 4, 2022 – after being rescued from the water. His cause of death was ruled as due to complications from drowning, the inquest was told.
But IOPC highlighted the officers were also separately investigated for failing to co-operate as witnesses, in interviews held on November 23 and 25, 2022. The watchdog said the officers “had a case to answer” – but it was not serious enough to justify disciplinary proceedings.
The IOPC said: “We found no indication that either officer may have behaved in a manner that would justify disciplinary proceedings or had committed a criminal offence relating to their actions at the scene.”
Its diector Amanda Rowe said: “Officers are allowed to use force when they honestly believe it is necessary to defend themselves or others. This was a fast-paced and distressing incident for the officers and we found the evidence suggested that the officers honestly and reasonably believed Mr Omishore was in possession of a weapon.
“Police have a duty to protect the public from harm and the officers saw several members of the public fleeing the area as they arrived. Mr Omishore’s behaviour was unpredictable and we found that the evidence did not indicate that the decision of one of the officers to Taser him, in order to detain him, was unnecessary or disproportionate in the circumstances.”
