IOPC Diss man's death investigation finds no blame on the part of Norfolk Police

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is preparing to publish a report into the death of a Diss man who was restrained by police, which clears the officers of any blame.

A summary of the investigation into the death of Krystian Kilkowski, which was concluded well before a jury inquest a few months ago, includes findings which are at odds with those of the jury.

In a statement, the IOPC said: “In November last year (2022) an inquest jury determined that Mr Kilkowski suffered a drug related death following amphetamine intoxication, leading to Acute Behavioural Disturbance, which was exacerbated by a period of physical activity, prolonged restraint by police and a delayed ambulance response.

“They identified there were failures in the methods of restraint used by police officers after Mr Kilkowski had been detained under the Mental Health Act.

“Our investigation examined whether the officers followed local and national policies when they detained Mr Kilkowski and whether they administered appropriate first aid after he had been restrained.

“We established that the officers followed their training and worked tirelessly in very challenging circumstances trying to keep Mr Kilkowski safe.

“Within ten minutes of arriving at the scene, and before they had restrained him, the officers requested an ambulance as they were concerned by his behaviour.

“During the period of his restraint they continually monitored his breathing and communicated with him, trying to keep him calm.

“They made repeated calls to the ambulance service, requesting the call be upgraded to a category one emergency response, however it was more than an hour before this was authorised, after he had sustained serious injuries to his wrist and mouth.

“Officers monitored his position and moved him out of direct sunlight when they became concerned he was overheating and kept the force control room updated throughout.

“We found none of the officers involved behaved in a manner which would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings, or any indication they may have committed a criminal offence.”

Despite establishing that officers followed their training and worked tirelessly to keep Mr Kilkowski safe, the report identified two areas of learning where improvements could be made.

These included bringing to the attention of the relevant agencies apparent contradictions between the local and national guidance on whether individuals suffering from Acute Behavioural Disorder (ABD) can be transported in a police vehicle, if an ambulance is not readily available.

It was also recommended that the force’s body worn video (BWV) policy should be amended to allow for recording while in an ambulance, where the actions of officers may need to be reviewed at a later date.

Mr Kilkowski’s sister Kinga Kotowska, who lives in Diss, did not wish to comment on the findings, but had spoken to express her anger at the lack on an apology from police after the inquest.

She said: “None of the police have apologised to the family.

“While I cannot speak about further proceedings, this is not the end of the matters.

“I have lived in Diss for three years and, because I have bought a house, I cannot easily move out, but I cannot bear to look at the police in Diss.

“Wherever I pass them on the street, I feel terrible anger and regret.

“They said until the very end that it was not their fault. I hope that Krystian will have peace and that the guilty will be punished for the death of my brother.”