Met officers under criminal investigation in death of man who fell from balcony after Taser used

Two Met police officers are under criminal investigation for gross negligence manslaughter after a man fell from a balcony five floors to his death shortly following their use of a Taser.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said on Friday that the two officers had been served with notices over the man who fell from a balcony in Rye Hill Park, Peckham, on April 12.

The IOPC said the man has still not been identified and the coroner is working with the Met to find out who he is.

The watchdog said police forced entry to the flat in Peckham at around 2am after reports of a man making threats to jump from a balcony.

They tried to persuade the man to come inside from the balcony and requested that a police negotiator attend the scene.

Over the course of the next hour, some officers left the flat and two officers remained inside.

The IOPC said in a statement: “Evidence at this stage indicates that an officer discharged their Taser, shortly before the man fell from the balcony railing at around 3.20am.”

The man fell five floors to the ground and was transported to hospital with critical injuries where he died later that day.

The police negotiator arrived at the location just before the man fell and had not entered the flat.

The IOPC said investigators attended the scene where officers gave their initial accounts. Body worn video footage and Taser data will be reviewed.

IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: “Our thoughts are with the man who died and we sincerely hope that he is formally identified and that his family are able to be notified.

“This was a tragic incident and we recognise that the circumstances surrounding the man’s death have understandably caused concern within the community.

“Our enquiries are still in their early stages and it’s important that we carry out a thorough, independent investigation that will be looking at the full circumstances, including the actions and decision-making of the officers who were present.

“Police officers are able to use force in the course of their duties and we will examine whether any force that was used was reasonable, appropriate and proportionate in these circumstances.

“Following the conclusion of our investigation, we will decide whether to refer the matter to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision and we will determine whether any officers should face disciplinary proceedings.”

A date for the inquest opening has not yet been set.

(Picture: The Met)