When someone dies in police custody: What happens next?

When a person dies while in police custody, it immediately raises questions, not only about how the death occurred, but about oversight and public trust.

A death in custody triggers a formal process. This is because the individual was under the care of the state, and reliant on authorities for their safety.

What happened? The Police account

A 35-year-old man has died after a struggle with police officers at the Fox Hill Police Station, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Anton Rahming said the incident occurred shortly after 10 a.m., when officers went to the station’s cell block to retrieve the man, who was being held on a burglary charge, to transport him to court.

According to Rahming, as officers attempted to remove the man from his cell, he began resisting, stating that he did not wish to attend court.

“The officers attempted to handcuff him, and at that time he held onto one of the officers,” Rahming said.

He added that additional officers at the station intervened to assist and de-escalate the situation. “Eventually, as they subdued him, they realized that he became unresponsive,” Rahming said.

The moment a death is discovered

When a detainee becomes unresponsive, police officers are required to act immediately. Emergency medical services are contacted, senior officers are notified, and the incident is formally recorded. Medical personnel determine whether the individual has died.

Automatic oversight begins

Any death in police custody is automatically referred to the Coroner’s Court. This step is mandatory. The coroner’s role is to independently examine the circumstances surrounding the death and determine how it occurred.

Because the person died while detained, the law treats the case differently from an ordinary death.

The autopsy establishes medical facts

An autopsy is ordered to determine the medical cause of death. This examination looks beyond what is visible on the body, examining internal injuries, underlying medical conditions, and other factors that could explain what happened.

Until the autopsy is completed, the cause of death remains officially undetermined. Statements about force, illness, or sudden collapse cannot be confirmed or ruled out until medical findings are returned.

This step often takes time and that waiting period can be difficult for families and the public.

When answers are finally given

Once the autopsy and investigation are complete, the coroner may issue findings that explain the cause and circumstances of death. In some cases, those findings lead to further legal steps. In others, they provide closure without additional proceedings.

Either way, the process exists to ensure transparency and accountability, especially when someone dies while in the care of the state.

Why it matters

Deaths in police custody are not just legal cases; they are for public trust. Until investigations are complete, questions remain unanswered, and conclusions must await resolution.

What happens next is about ensuring that the truth is established, independently and thoroughly.