Two officers sacked after man, 34, died in police van

Two officers sacked after man, 34, died in police van

Two officers who failed to provide emergency first aid to a man who died after collapsing in the back of their police van have been sacked for gross misconduct. A disciplinary panel found the actions of Pc Grant Mackenzie and Pc Dean Hunkin amounted to gross misconduct – and they were dismissed without notice on Thursday, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.

The officers failed to spot that Stephen Reardon, 34, needed urgent medical attention. At one point, Pc Hunkin said Mr Reardon was “playing games” when he saw him shaking and unresponsive through the van’s Perspex divide, IOPC investigators found.

The officers had transported Mr Reardon in the van’s secure holding area for almost 40 minutes after his arrest on