Two Metropolitan Police officers have been cleared of gross misconduct related to the death of Kevin Clarke in custody
London: So, here’s the scoop. Two Metropolitan Police officers, Pc Danielle Barnes and Pc Elizabeth McAleenan, were cleared of gross misconduct. This was all about the tragic death of Kevin Clarke, who died in police custody back in 2018.
Kevin, who had a history of mental health issues, was restrained by the officers. They were accused of not ensuring his welfare when he reportedly said, “I can’t breathe.” But the misconduct panel found there wasn’t enough evidence to prove they heard him say that.
After the hearing, Kevin’s family expressed their deep disappointment. They felt let down by the system, especially since an inquest had previously suggested that at least one officer likely heard him. It’s been a long six years for them, and they’re frustrated with how things turned out.
The panel chairwoman mentioned that while the inquest’s findings were correct, they couldn’t conclude that the officers heard Kevin’s words. It’s a tough situation, and the family feels the system is broken and doesn’t deliver real accountability.
Wendy Clarke, Kevin’s mother, and his sister were present during the hearing. They shared their anger and disappointment, feeling that the whole process was disrespectful to Kevin’s memory. It’s a heartbreaking situation that raises serious questions about police accountability.
