Simeon Francis: Police referred to watchdog over video of man saying ‘I can’t breathe’ during arrest
Written by News on 20/06/2020
Devon and Cornwall Police has been referred to a watchdog after a video emerged of a man telling officers “I can’t breathe” as he was being arrested.
The clip of Simeon Francis, 35, shows him accusing officers of being racist as they restrained him during his arrest for a recall to prison in July 2019.
He is heard shouting “get off me” and “I can’t breathe” – the same words as George Floyd, who was killed by police officers in Minneapolis, sparking worldwide Black Lives Matter protests.
Mr Francis’ family has released the video claiming the officers used excessive force. Devon and Cornwall Police has referred itself to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) over the footage.
It was taken 10 months before the father-of-one died in custody at Torquay police station following a separate arrest involving the same force.
A preliminary post-mortem has been held, which did not identify a cause of death for Mr Francis.
Ten officers are seen in the video, with three restraining Mr Francis – who is black – and one appearing to press their knee into his back.
He shouts “You’re racist”, “get off my feet” and “I haven’t done anything”, while an onlooker asks: “Do you really need that many officers on him?”
Officers are heard asking Mr Francis to calm down as he is being detained, before carrying him into a police van.
Francis family spokesman Desmond Jaddoo said: “This video raises concerns of the actual treatment of Mr Francis by Devon and Cornwall Police.
“It has caused his family further and extreme distress during this difficult time.”
Devon and Cornwall Police said the incident in July 2019 saw Mr Francis being returned “safe and well to prison”.
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A spokesman said the force had received a complaint about the video, which means it will now be assessed by the IOPC.
They added: “The independent IOPC investigation relating to the death of Simeon Francis in police custody on 20 May 2020 remains ongoing and Devon and Cornwall Police continue to co-operate fully with that investigation.”
Mr Francis moved to Torquay from Birmingham 16 years ago and was arrested at 12.45am on 20 May in Exeter, the police watchdog said.
He was taken to Torquay police station and booked into custody at 3am. An ambulance was called after he was found unresponsive in his cell and he was pronounced dead around 6pm.
The IOPC said it had received mandatory referrals over both incidents.
(c) Sky News 2020: Simeon Francis: Police referred to watchdog over video of man saying ‘I can’t breathe’ during arrest
