Police to update suicide strategy after young suspect took his life

Tuesday 21 December 2021

Jersey Police are going to update their suicide reduction strategy after a young man took his own life once he became aware he was being investigated.

The man in his early 20s – who Express has chosen not to name - died last year.

Officers had conducted a search on his flat at 12:00 that day, taking several items as potential evidence. Later, he was reported as missing and, following an extensive search, his body was found.

An inquest to establish how he had come by his death was subsequently held at Morier House, concluding last week.

During the hearing, Coroner Cyril Whelan heard a statement from the young man's mother, who said that he had told her that he had previously considered taking his life in connection with a drugs offence some years previously.

Pictured: Morier House, where the inquest was held.

On the day of his death, the young man's girlfriend recalled him telling her on the phone after she had finished work that he had done something "really bad" and expressing fears that the police may be listening to the call.

She says he indicated that he wished to end his life. She shared her concerns after the call with the young man's family, who raised the alarm with the police.

While the inquest heard that he could have been considered vulnerable due to his age, Police said there was no mention of mental health difficulties when his record was searched, as part of a risk assessment in advance of the flat raid.

However, this risk assessment was not documented and officers were not briefed about any potential vulnerability.

The inquest heard that officers had made "repeated" efforts to speak again with the young man after an initial call to him straight after the search, but that he seemed "determined" to avoid contact.

The matter was then referred to the Jersey Police Complaints Authority (JPCA), as is the procedure when a death follows the issuing of a warrant.

A report on the police's handling of the young man's case was subsequently compiled. Described in the inquest as a document that "pulls no punches", the report contained "lessons learned" and recommendations for improvement in police processes.

It found that risk assessments conducted prior to police activity should be documented.

No officers' actions amounted to misconduct, and no officer breached the Police Complaints and Discipline Law, it concluded.

The report also recommended that the States of Jersey Police receive specific training on suicide reduction, and that the Force's suicide reduction strategy should be revisited and refreshed.

Coroner Cyril Whelan concluded that the young man's death came after he discovered he was under investigation and that he was "worried of the effect it would have on those who were closest to him" and, with that, he "chose the alternative."

Closing the inquest, he offered his condolences to the young man's family.