Who'd Be A Cop These Days?

Mouayed Bashir, 29, who had mental health issues, died after being restrained with his hands cuffed behind his back and his legs bound together at his family’s house in Newport, south Wales.

ABD, which presents with symptoms such as extreme agitation, paranoia, rapid breathing and sweating, is a state that can be exacerbated by restraint and can lead to cardiac arrest.

So he died of acute behavioural disturbance (ABD)? Not so, Reader, not so... 

In a narrative conclusion, the jury said Bashir had taken an unknown quantity of cocaine that resulted in him developing symptoms “in keeping” with ABD. They gave the medical cause of death as “intoxication with cocaine and the effects of cocaine, following a period of restraint”. They said he was restrained “for his safety and the safety of others”.

What else could the police do with someone who was not open to reason for two distinct causes - mental illness and illegal drugs? Of course he had to be restrained! Syill, at least this jury saw sense. 

Not so the coroner: 

Caroline Saunders, the senior coroner for Gwent (Ed: Yes, Reader, she has form...), said she would write to the police to ask about ABD training, in particular a package from the College of Policing that instructs officers to “speak up, speak out” if they observe that a restrained person is in distress.

Outside court, Bashir’s brother Mohannad Bashir said: “We want ABD to be recognised and taken seriously. The family believe police training needs to be modernised, overhauled and updated.”

But he didn't die from ABD! He died as a result of taking illegal drugs! And you yourselves called the police... 

On 17 February 2021, Bashir’s parents became concerned about his behaviour. He had barricaded himself in his room and was smashing furniture and shouting. They dialled 999 and pleaded for help.

And the police came and immediately helped by restraining him from smashing up the family house. How is it their fault that he died? Even with the threat of ABD death or extreme cocaine intoxication, they had no other choice.

In their submissions to the inquest, Bashir’s family said that when police decided to restrain Bashir, they did not consider they could be putting his life at risk.

Of course not; the immediate threat had to be dealt with to stop other lives - yours, theirs - being put at risk. They did their job the best they could under the circumstances, and are you grateful? No.