It is sixteen years today since the death of Sean Rigg at Brixton Police station. A mental health related, restraint related death in police custody after days of non-response to Sean in his deteriorating condition by mental health services, his death remains a tragedy. Having since met his sister, Marcia Rigg a number of times, I am thinking about her and their family today.
Sean’s story tells us a lot about policing and mental health and I’m thinking today about how events might have unfolded differently and about whether I think they would unfold differently today. But Marcia’s story is as important as Sean’s, because she is the one who had to start campaigning and investigating her brother’s death after obvious problems with the investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). For those who aren’t aware, the IPCC had to revisit its original investigation after obvious problems with it were exposed, largely thanks to Marcia and her legal support. Dissatisfaction with the IPCC mounted following this and in 2015 it was replaced by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
It’s an incredible story of relentlessness in the face of overwhelming adversity and it’s sadly not unique after such tragedies because I know Marcia has supported others, especially in London with their attempts to secure answers from the Metropolitan Police and the IPCC / IOPC about how their loved ones died after mental health related deaths after police contact.
We need to keep ensuring that learning from these cases is cemented in to practice and cultures and that is what this website has been about for over a decade, aiming to assist, mainly because I do have to wonder about claims of lessons learned. I remember eight years ago being invited by Marcia to the 8th anniversary memorial for Sean near Brixton police station where he died. I remember listening to the protest and drums as I left that evening and am wondering if those who loved Sean will be there again tonight. And then we had to spend time in subsequent years thinking about the death of Kevin Clarke in south London.
I want to note the sad anniversary of Sean’s death – regardless of anything else, the death of a loved one is devastating on its own terms and the unexpected death of a young relatively even more so.
Winner of the President’s Medal, the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Winner of the Mind Digital Media Award
All opinions expressed are my own – they do not represent the views of any organisation. (c) Michael Brown, 2024
I try to keep this blog up to date, but inevitably over time, amendments to the law as well as court rulings and other findings from inquests and complaints processes mean it is difficult to ensure all the articles and pages remain current. Please ensure you check all legal issues in particular and take appropriate professional advice where necessary.
Government legislation website – www.legislation.gov.uk
Mental Health Cop 