The police were criticised by an inquest jury today for using an "unsuitable level of force" before the death in custody of a schizophrenic.
Sean Rigg, a physically fit 40-year-old musician, was being held in the back of a police van at Brixton police station in south London when he died of cardiac arrest on August 21 2008.
An inquest jury found that officers used "unsuitable" force after arresting Mr Rigg for attacking passers-by and police officers in Balham, south London.
Reading the jury's narrative verdict today after the seven-week process at Inner London South Coroner's Court, coroner Andrew Harris said: "The level of force used on Sean Rigg whilst he was restrained in the prone position at the Weir estate was unsuitable.
"In addition, there was an absence of leadership.
"This led to a failure to take appropriate control of the situation."
