Police acted 'acceptably' before man died - report

Police officers acted "acceptably" in the days before a man who they had arrested took his own life, an internal investigation has ruled.

Noel Porter, 25, from Woodbridge, Suffolk, was found dead in a car park in Ipswich on 22 November 2023, a day after admitting to drink driving at Ipswich Magistrates' Court.

At Suffolk Coroner's Court on Friday, a jury said that his mental health risks were "insufficiently" shared between Suffolk Police, Serco prison transport workers and the magistrates' court after his arrest.

The Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Professional Standards Department (PSD) ruled there was no indication of misconduct in relation to the force's actions.

Porter, a welder, had been arrested for drink driving on 19 November after being pulled over on the A134 between Sudbury and Bury St Edmunds.

The attending officer's body camera footage recorded Porter saying he had been having suicidal feelings, to which the officer replied: "We do care about your welfare."

After being taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Station, Porter was kept in custody until his court appearance following officers' concerns he might harm himself.

Two days later, he was taken to court by the prisoner escort service, Serco, where he was handed a driving ban before being released.

He took his own life in a car park the following day.

The inquest heard that Porter had a history of mental health issues and suicide attempts and had been "particularly unwell in the six months before his death".

At the inquest, his family's solicitors questioned why his mental state was not properly shared between Suffolk Police, Liaison and Diversion, Serco and Turning Point.

They argued that had that information been communicated better, it may have led to further support being available to him.

While jurors said this did not contribute to his death, they added that better communication may have provided "a last opportunity" to help him.

After Porter's death, the police referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is procedure when there is a death after a period in custody.

The IOPC referred the case to the PSD for an internal investigation, before an external complaint was made and investigated.

Pamela Porter, Porter's mum, said she had been concerned for her son's mental health and felt police were reluctant to give her details about why he was in custody or when he was due to appear in court.

The outcome of the PSD investigation, however, found the service provided by the police was "acceptable in the circumstances".

It concluded that there was "no indication of misconduct or unsatisfactory performance" by any officer or member of staff.

"Suffolk Constabulary acknowledges the findings of the inquest," a spokesperson for the force said.

"It will now need to review these alongside current practices in custody and how that relates to the national guidance and processes," they added.

Serco said its thoughts remain with Porter's family and it was "reviewing the inquest's findings and any recommendations relating to his death".

Turning Point and Liaison and Diversion were contacted for comment.

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