‘I can’t breathe’: Police force refers itself to watchdog over video of black man’s arrest

A police force has referred itself to an independent watchdog over a video showing a black man shouting “I can’t breathe” while being arrested.

The family of Simeon Francis, 35, believe excessive force was used by Devon and Cornwall Police during his arrest in Exeter in July 2019.

The father-of-one died in police custody in Torquay on 20 May 2020 after being arrested by officers from the same police force.

A preliminary post-mortem did not find a cause of death and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now investigating both incidents.

Mr Francis’ family lodged a complaint with Devon and Cornwall Police on Wednesday after they were made aware of a video filmed by a passer-by during his arrest in July 2019.

In the footage, Mr Francis is surrounded by about 10 officers who push him against a wall before bringing him to the ground.

Mr Francis, who is black, can be heard complaining that he can’t breathe and accusing the officers of being racist.

At one point, a member of the group, which includes plainclothes and uniformed officers, as well as police community support officers (PCSOs), appears to press his knee into Mr Francis’ back as he lies on the ground.

A bystander watching the incident unfold can be heard asking: “Do you really need that many officers on him?”

Mr Francis is eventually carried into the back of a police van after being restrained for about 13 minutes.

He was arrested again shortly before 1am on 20 May this year in Cowley Bridge Road, Exeter, and transported by police van to Torquay police station – about 20 miles away – where he was booked into custody at about 3am.

Mr Francis was found unresponsive in his cell later that day and pronounced dead at about 6pm.

The father, who had a 10-year-old child, was originally from Birmingham but moved to Torquay 16 years ago.

Mr Francis’ family are said to be “traumatised” by his death and are demanding answers.

Desmond Jaddoo, a Birmingham community activist who is acting as the family’s spokesperson, said the video “raises concerns of the actual treatment of Mr Francis by Devon and Cornwall Police”.

He told The Independent: “We have yet again another family from the black community who are traumatised by what has happened to Simeon. Clearly the family seeks answers as his death was not expected.

“He was known to police, let’s make no bones about that, but that doesn’t mean he needs 10 police officers jumping on him, holding him down in the prone position for some 12 to 13 minutes.

“I do believe in the current climate the way black men are being treated by police, which has been demonstrated by the death of George Floyd, needs to be addressed and I think it’s time now that British policing take stock of their so-called disproportionalities.

“At the end of the day, is it disproportionality – or is it just sheer racism?”

Mr Jaddoo said the video of Mr Francis’ arrest has “exacerbated his family’s grief” – but has made them “even more determined to get answers”.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the video of Mr Francis’ arrest in July 2019 related to a recall to prison and that he was returned “safe and well to prison”.

The force added in a statement: “The force has received a complaint in respect of the video on 17 June 2020.

“The complaint will now be assessed and is subject to a voluntary referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

“The force has received no complaint in relation to the arrest prior to this point.

“The independent IOPC investigation relating to the death of Simeon Francis in police custody on 20 May 2020 remains ongoing and Devon & Cornwall Police continue to co-operate fully with that investigation.”