Cymraeg isod
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the death of a man in custody at Merthyr Tydfil on 21 September.
James Barnes, 45, was stopped by South Wales Police officers on suspicion of drugs offences at around 8 pm on 20 September in Treforest. Mr Barnes and the vehicle he was travelling in were searched before he was initially taken to Pontypridd police station where a strip-search was carried out. He was arrested for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs but not charged with any offence.
We have established that Mr Barnes was then transported to custody at Merthyr Bridewell police station where his detention was authorised at around 10.30 pm. He was placed on regular welfare checks. At about 4.30 am the next day, custody staff noticed he became unwell in his cell, commenced first aid, and called an ambulance shortly afterwards. Paramedics sadly pronounced Mr Barnes dead at the custody suite at around 6.30 am on Wednesday 21 September.
South Wales Police notified the IOPC of the death that morning. Investigators attended the police post incident procedure at Merthyr Bridewell where initial accounts from officers and staff were gathered. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from the custody suite and police body-worn video footage. We are also analysing the custody logs along with statements from those involved. All police officers are being treated as witnesses at this stage.
A post mortem was held on 23 September and further tests are being carried out. The Coroner has been informed.
IOPC Director for Wales, Catrin Evans said: “We have met with Mr Barnes’s family to express our sympathies for their loss and to explain how our investigation will progress. Where someone has sadly died while in police custody, it is important that we carefully and impartially investigate all the circumstances. We are examining whether the search, arrest and detention of Mr Barnes were carried out in line with the relevant local force and national policy and procedures, and whether the level of care provided to him while in custody was appropriate.”
Mae ymchwiliad yn digwydd i mewn i farwolaeth dyn yn nalfa Heddlu De Cymru ym Merthyr Tudful
Mae Swyddfa Annibynnol Ymddygiad yr Heddlu (IOPC) yn ymchwilio i farwolaeth dyn yn y ddalfa ym Merthyr Tudful ar 21 Medi.
Cafodd James Barnes, 45, ei stopio gan swyddogion Heddlu De Cymru ar amheuaeth o droseddau cyffuriau am tua 8 o’r gloch yr hwyr ar 20 Medi yn Nhrefforest. Cafodd Mr Barnes a'r cerbyd roedd yn teithio ynddo eu chwilio cyn iddo gael ei gludo i orsaf heddlu Pontypridd i ddechrau lle cynhaliwyd noeth-chwiliad. Cafodd ei arestio am gynllwynio i gyflenwi cyffuriau Dosbarth A ond ni chafodd ei gyhuddo o unrhyw drosedd.
Rydym wedi sefydlu bod Mr Barnes wedi cael ei gludo wedyn i’r ddalfa yng ngorsaf heddlu Bridewell Merthyr lle cafodd ei awdurdodi i'w gadw tua 10.30 pm. Cafodd ei roi ar wiriadau lles rheolaidd. Tua 4.30 am y diwrnod wedyn, sylwodd staff y ddalfa ei fod yn sâl yn ei gell, dechreuon nhw roi cymorth cyntaf, a cafodd ambiwlans ei alw yn fuan wedyn. Yn anffodus, cyhoeddodd parafeddygon fod Mr Barnes wedi marw yn ystafell y ddalfa am tua 6.30 am ar ddydd Mercher 21 Medi.
Fe wnaeth Heddlu De Cymru hysbysu’r IOPC o’r farwolaeth y bore hwnnw. Mynychodd ymchwilwyr weithdrefn ôl-ddigwyddiad yr heddlu ym Merthyr Bridewell lle casglwyd adroddiadau cychwynnol gan swyddogion a staff. Mae ymchwilwyr yn adolygu lluniau CCTV o ystafell y ddalfa a lluniau fideo a wisgwyd ar y corff gan yr heddlu. Rydym hefyd yn dadansoddi'r cofnodion cadw ynghyd â datganiadau gan y rhai dan sylw. Mae pob heddwas yn cael eu trin fel tystion ar hyn o bryd.
Cafodd post mortem ei gynnal ar 23 Medi ac mae profion ychwanegol yn cael eu cynnal. Mae'r Crwner wedi cael gwybod.
Dywedodd Cyfarwyddwr IOPC Cymru, Catrin Evans: “Rydym wedi cyfarfod â theulu Mr Barnes i fynegi ein cydymdeimlad am eu colled ac i egluro sut y bydd ein hymchwiliad yn digwydd. Lle mae rhywun yn anffodus wedi marw tra yn nalfa'r heddlu, mae’n bwysig ein bod yn ymchwilio’n ofalus ac yn ddiduedd i’r holl amgylchiadau. Rydym yn archwilio os gwnaethpwyd y gwaith o chwilio, arestio a chadw Mr Barnes yn unol â pholisi a gweithdrefnau’r heddlu lleol a chenedlaethol perthnasol, ac os oedd lefel y gofal a ddarparwyd iddo tra yn y ddalfa carchar yn briodol.”
An act of parliament that provides the core framework of police powers to combat crime and provide codes of practice for the exercise of these powers.
Leads and manages the development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The body that represents the interests of all police constables, sergeants, and inspectors.
Deals with someone’s inability or failure to perform to a satisfactory level, but without breaching the Standards of Professional Behaviour.
Focuses on putting an issue right and preventing it from happening again by encouraging those involved to reflect on their actions and learn. It is not a disciplinary process or a disciplinary outcome.
Department within a police force that deals with complaints and conduct matters.
Refers to lower-level misconduct or performance-related issues, which are dealt with in a proportionate and constructive manner.
This means doing what is appropriate in the circumstances, taking into account the facts and the context in which the complaint has been raised, within the framework of legislation and guidance.
The average is calculated using the individual results of the forces in that most similar force group.
An investigation carried out by IOPC staff.
Carried out by the police under their own direction and control. The IOPC sets the terms of reference and receives the investigation report when it is complete. Complainants have a right of appeal following a supervised investigation (unless it is an investigation into a direction and control matter).
This act sets out how the police complaints system operates.
How a police force is run, for example policing standards or policing policy.
An investigation carried out by the police under the direction and control of the IOPC.
The organisation that is responsible for assessing how to deal with a complaint. For example – whether it can be handled locally or reaches the criteria for referral to the IOPC. The appropriate authority may be the chief officer of the police force or the PCC for the force. If a complaint investigation finds that someone has a case to answer for misconduct, the appropriate authority is responsible for arranging any misconduct proceedings. If you make a complaint, the appropriate authority for your case will contact you.
An intelligence-led agency with law enforcement powers, it is also responsible for reducing the harm that is caused to people and communities by serious organised crime.
Policing bodies include police and crime commissioners, the Common Council for the City of London, or the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime.
Investigations carried out entirely by the police. Complainants have a right of appeal following a local investigation (unless it is an investigation into a direction and control matter).
IOPC guidance to the police service and police authorities on the handling of complaints.
A complaint or recordable conduct matter that doesn’t need to be referred to the IOPC, but where the seriousness or circumstances justifies referral.
Parameters within which an investigation is conducted.
A person is adversely affected if he or she suffers any form of loss or damage, distress or inconvenience, if he or she is put in danger or is otherwise unduly put at risk of being adversely affected.
This is where a manager deals with the way someone has behaved. It can include: showing the police officer or member of staff how their behaviour fell short of expectations set out in the Standards of Professional Behaviour; identifying expectations for future conduct; or addressing any underlying causes of misconduct.
This could be the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Common Council for the City of London, or the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime.
A flexible process for dealing with complaints that can be adapted to the needs of the complainant. It may involve, for example, providing information and an explanation, an apology, or a meeting between the complainant and the officer involved.
A flexible process for dealing with complaints that can be adapted to the needs of the complainant. It may involve, for example, providing information and an explanation, an apology, or a meeting between the complainant and the officer involved.
A breach of standards of professional behaviour by police officers or staff so serious it could justify their dismissal.
A matter where no complaint has been received, but where there is an indication that a person serving with the police may have committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner that would justify disciplinary proceedings.
Disapplication means that a police force may handle a complaint in whatever way it thinks fit, including not dealing with it under complaints legislation. This may only happen in certain circumstances where the complaint fits one or more of the grounds for disapplication set out in law.
The ending of an ongoing investigation into a complaint, conduct matter or DSI matter. An investigation may only be discontinued if it meets one or more of the grounds for discontinuance set out in law.
Quarter 1 covers 1 April - 30 June
Quarter 2 covers 1 April - 30 September
Quarter 3 covers 1 April - 31 December
Quarter 4 covers the full financial year (1 April - 31 March).
You can request a review/appeal if you’re not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled.
Used to house anyone who has been detained.
Complainants have the right to appeal to the IOPC if a police force did not record their complaint or notify the correct police force if it was made originally to the wrong force.
The purpose of an investigation is to establish the facts behind a complaint, conduct matter, or DSI matter and reach conclusions. An investigator looks into matters and produces a report that sets out and analyses the evidence. There are three types of investigations: local, directed and independent.
The ending of an ongoing investigation into a complaint, conduct matter or DSI matter. An investigation may only be discontinued if it meets one or more of the grounds for discontinuance set out in law.
The type of behaviour being complained about. A single complaint case can have one or many allegations attached.
A person who makes a complaint about the conduct of someone serving with the police.
The ending of an ongoing investigation into a complaint, conduct matter or DSI matter. An investigation may only be discontinued if it meets one or more of the grounds for discontinuance set out in law.
List of officers and staff who have been dismissed from policing, or would have been if they had not retired or resigned.
The type of behaviour being complained about. A single complaint case can have one or many allegations attached.
Disapplication means that a police force may handle a complaint in whatever way it thinks fit, including not dealing with it under complaints legislation. This may only happen in certain circumstances where the complaint fits one or more of the grounds for disapplication set out in law.
An independent judicial officer, the coroner enquires into deaths reported to him/her.
A breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour that would justify at least a written warning.
No further action may be taken with regard to a complaint if the complainant decides to retract their allegation(s).
A record is made of a complaint, giving it formal status as a complaint under the Police Reform Act 2002.
This is a format where information is written in plain English and short sentences.
The IOPC must be notified about specific types of complaint or incidents to be able to decide how they should be dealt with.
No further action may be taken with regard to a complaint if the complainant decides to retract their allegation(s).
Casework involves assessing appeals. Casework staff also have a role in overseeing the police complaints system to help ensure police forces handle complaints in the best possible way.
Disapplication means that a police force may handle a complaint in whatever way it thinks fit, including not dealing with it under complaints legislation. This may only happen in certain circumstances where the complaint fits one or more of the grounds for disapplication set out in law.
Conduct includes acts, omissions, statements and decisions (whether actual, alleged or inferred). For example: language used and the manner or tone of communications.
You can request a review/appeal if you’re not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled.
You can request a review/appeal if you’re not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled.
