Lamont Ashley Roper · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 8th October 2020 I commenced an investigation into the death of Lamont Ashley Roper. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest held on the 22nd November 2021. The medical cause of death was 1(a) consistent with drowning.
The conclusion of the Jury at the inquest was:-

1. Non compliance with stop and search request.
2. Inadequate recourses for water rescue along the canal and Lock 19.
3. Lack of sufficient police resources.
4. Lack of specialised on call rescue team (ie Divers).

Mr Roper was found dead at the bottom of Lock 17 after entering the water the previous night. Mr Roper entered the water after an initial cycling pursuit along the tow path between Mansfield Park and Lock 17. Mr Roper was issued with a stop and search request which was ignored. Mr Roper then had a struggle with a police officer after falling off his bicycle adjacent to Lock 17. The struggle continued at the railings closest to the canal, and after a brief time the police officer shouted “GO GO” and released Mr Roper who shortly afterwards fell into the canal.

1. The Coroner recommends to the MPS that they consider whether there is any alternative and less cumbersome water rescue equipment [to throw lines] that could be issued to officers on patrol near bodies of water, for example some sort of device which could be inflated quickly and thrown to the person in the water to assist them in floating until a throw line is available.
2. If this not possible to source alternative water rescue equipment that can be carried by officers on cycle patrol, then the family considers that the risks of cycle patrols near to bodies of water outweighs the benefits. The Coroner recommends in the alternative that the MPS amends their policies and training to reflect the fact that cycle patrols alongside bodies of water are potentially very dangerous more so in the absence of water rescue equipment and that in these circumstances careful consideration to continuing the patrol will need to be undertaken at a senior level .
3. The coroner recommends to the MPS to implement a requirement for officers conducting pre-planned operations along stretches of a canal or other bodies of water to make themselves aware of the availability (or non-availability) of water rescue equipment in order for this to be factored into their ongoing dynamic risk assessment whilst on patrol”
4. The Coroner makes a recommendation to the MPS to ensure that its officers are made aware the MPS dive team can attend a critical incident involving someone submerged in water even when the team are not on call and / or at night, and that this possibility should therefore be explored at an early stage. This may be achieved by special training and the publication of an operational notice.
5. The Coroner recommends that [throw lines] must be available and issued to all MPS marked emergency vehicles.
6. The Coroner makes a recommendation that steps should be taken to increase the number of qualified divers available to the police to assist with the respond to an incident.
7. The Coroner recommends to the MPS that they provide specific training about cycling, whether during a pursuit or otherwise, near to the bodies of water in particular as there is a serious risk of future deaths occurring as a result of MPS cycle patrols and pursuits at up to 15mph [on electric bicycles] near bodies of water. The Coroner recommends that specific policies and training are put in place to ensure that such pursuits are undertaken safely and in a manner such as to mitigate risks of accidents or injury.