Police watchdog probes Hampshire force after inmate’s fatal restraint
Hampshire Constabulary faces an urgent inspection after a man died in custody during restraint in 2023. The watchdog’s probe follows damning evidence of excessive force and systemic failures in the force’s arrest protocols.
Hampshire Constabulary is under scrutiny as the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launches an unprecedented inspection into the force’s handling of restraint-related deaths following the fatal restraint of Henry Nowak in October 2023. Nowak, 34, died in hospital two days after being arrested at his home in Fareham while in a critical condition, officers used handcuffs as he lay dying on his bedroom floor.
📋 Timeline of Events
- October 12, 2023 — Emergency call received at 2:17 a.m. reporting a man in distress at a property in Fareham
- 2:23 a.m. — First officers arrive; Nowak is found unresponsive in his bedroom
- 2:28 a.m. — Officers apply handcuffs despite Nowak showing no signs of aggression
- 2:45 a.m. — Ambulance arrives; Nowak pronounced dead on scene
- October 14, 2023 — Hampshire Constabulary notifies IOPC of the restraint-related death
The IOPC confirmed the probe on Tuesday, marking the first time the watchdog has triggered an urgent inspection under new national guidelines introduced last year. Inspectors will review the use of force policies, training records, and body-worn camera footage from officers at the scene.
Nowak’s family has demanded accountability, stating their son was already in a vulnerable state when officers arrived. “He wasn’t a threat—he was dying,” said his sister, Monika Nowak. “They treated him like a criminal when he needed help.”
Key Points
- ⚠️ IOPC launches first urgent inspection into Hampshire Constabulary over a 2023 restraint death
- ✅ Nowak was handcuffed while unresponsive, contradicting national use-of-force guidelines
- 🔍 Probe will examine training, policies, and bodycam footage from the incident
Hampshire’s Chief Constable, Olivia Carter, has pledged full cooperation but faces calls to resign amid public outrage. A spokesperson for the force stated, “We are committed to learning from this tragedy and ensuring such an incident never occurs again.”
| Policy | National Guideline | Hampshire Constabulary Record |
|---|---|---|
| Use of Force | Handcuffs should not be applied to individuals in medical distress | Officers handcuffed Nowak while he was unresponsive |
| Arrest Protocols | Arrests should prioritize de-escalation for vulnerable individuals | Nowak was not assessed for medical needs before restraint |
The IOPC’s inspection, led by Chief Inspector Daniel Reeves, will also scrutinize the force’s response to mental health crises. Reeves stated, “This case raises serious questions about how officers assess risk in high-pressure situations.”
💡 Pro Tip
Body-worn cameras must be activated before any restraint, not after. Delayed footage activation can undermine investigations and erode public trust.
Nowak’s death is one of 17 restraint-related fatalities in England and Wales last year, a 22% increase from 2022. The IOPC has flagged concerns over inconsistent training across forces, with Hampshire’s officers receiving an average of just 4 hours of annual de-escalation training—half the national average.
- 📊 4 hours — Hampshire officers’ annual de-escalation training vs. 8 hours nationally
- 🔍 Bodycam footage from the scene was delayed by 90 seconds, missing critical moments
- ⚠️ IOPC data shows 60% of restraint deaths involved individuals with known mental health conditions
Campaigners argue Hampshire’s inspection is long overdue. “This isn’t an isolated incident,” said Sarah Whitmore, director of Justice Now. “It’s a symptom of a broken system where officers are too quick to use force and too slow to show compassion.”
Key Questions
- ❓ Why were handcuffs used on a man in medical distress?
- ❓ Did officers receive adequate mental health training?
- ❓ What systemic changes will Hampshire implement post-inspection?
The IOPC’s findings are expected in May 2025, with recommendations for nationwide reforms. In the meantime, Hampshire’s police and crime commissioner has called for an independent review of all restraint-related deaths in the force’s jurisdiction since 2020.