30-year-old Mikias Tekeste died in police custody on July 15, 2023, after falling unwell.
He had been recalled to prison and was arrested earlier that day in Croydon town centre on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
CCTV footage from inside the police vehicle transporting him to Croydon Custody Centre shows him removing items from his clothing and swallowing them.
IOPC investigators have analysed the video and their findings suggest that two officers inside the vehicle may not have adequately supervised Mr Tekeste during this period.
The two officers will be placed on restricted duties for the duration of the criminal investigation.
The IOPC has announced that they are being investigated for the potential offence of gross negligence manslaughter as well as potential breaches of the police standards of professional behaviour at the level of gross misconduct.
This does not mean that criminal charges or disciplinary proceedings will necessarily follow.
Later that evening, Mr Tekeste was found unwell in his cell and first aid was provided before officers called an ambulance.
His condition deteriorated and he died shortly after arriving at hospital.
The IOPC sent investigators to the Croydon Custody Centre to gather evidence after being notified about the incident by the Metropolitan Police.
The IOPC has clarified that their investigation has not uncovered any inappropriate police use of force.
The death of a person in custody or following police contact is a serious matter and the IOPC says it is committed to conducting a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding Mr Tekeste’s death.
A post-mortem examination was carried out and the IPOC is waiting for further details about the results including a toxicology report.
A date for an inquest is yet to be set.
IOPC regional director Mel Palmer said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of Mikias Tekeste. Our investigators have met with his family to inform them of this update.
“We are continuing to piece together the circumstances leading up to Mr Tekeste’s death and we are reviewing the actions of MPS staff beginning from his arrest in Croydon, to his transport to and subsequent detention in the custody suite. We have found no evidence of any inappropriate use of force during this period.
“At the end of our investigation we will decide whether to refer a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision and also determine whether any MPS staff should face disciplinary proceedings.”
