A 25-year-old father tragically passed away shortly after being handcuffed by the police following a call reporting a disturbance where he was behaving erratically. Joshua Cooper, who was under the influence of cocaine, was found acting strangely in Biddulph, North Staffordshire, before entering an elderly woman’s home. Upon police arrival, Joshua was discovered under a pile of bricks, resisting arrest by growling. He then fell to his knees in a praying position and died shortly after on March 26 the previous year, as confirmed in an inquest.
An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct determined that Staffordshire Police officers had acted appropriately and in accordance with policy. The coroner concluded that Joshua’s death was drug-related. In a statement during the hearing, PC Lawton, one of the responding officers, described the challenging situation they encountered with Joshua, who exhibited signs of being under the influence of a potent substance known as “monkey dust.”
Following the incident, an IPOC review revealed no concerns regarding the officers’ actions. Emergency medical assistance was promptly requested for Joshua, suspected of experiencing an acute behavioral disturbance. The officers attempted to ascertain the drugs Joshua had taken to ensure proper medical care. Despite efforts to handcuff Joshua for safety reasons, his deteriorating health led to the removal of the restraints to perform life-saving CPR.
Joshua’s partner disclosed that he had been battling a long-standing cocaine addiction, which ultimately led to his tragic demise. The forensic pathologist confirmed that Joshua’s death resulted from a combination of cocaine intoxication and underlying heart issues. The coroner emphasized the impact of drug abuse on Joshua’s fatal outcome, extending condolences to his family for their loss.
