Police actions when restraining a man who later died were “proportionate in the circumstances”, a report has concluded. 

Krystian Kilkowski, 32, died in hospital in August 2020 the day after having been restrained on the ground by officers in Diss for more than an hour and a half while waiting for an ambulance.

It later emerged that the Polish-born machine operator was suffering an acute behavioural disturbance brought on by amphetamines.

An inquest in November concluded that his drug-related death had been complicated by “serious failures in the methods of restraint”.

The jury also found that “operational failures in the emergency services led to delays in receiving timely critical care”.

His death was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) whose report finds “none of the officers present behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings”.

“While the officers restrained the man, used handcuffs and later applied straps to secure his legs when he became more agitated, our investigation found their actions were proportionate in the circumstances,” it adds.

Eastern Daily Press: Krystian Kilkowski was restrained by police near Morrisons in Diss after they were called to his homeKrystian Kilkowski was restrained by police near Morrisons in Diss after they were called to his home (Image: Newsquest)

However, the IOPC identified contradictions between the local and national guidance on whether individuals suffering from Acute Behavioural Disorder (ABD) can be transported in a police vehicle if an ambulance is not readily available.

It also recommended Norfolk police amend its policy to allow body-worn video to record events in the back of an ambulance.

The inquest had heard that Mr Kilkowski had been detained under the mental health act after police had been called to his home address in Cotsman Close following a 999 call about his "strange behaviour".

During his restraint he suffered wrist injuries from his handcuffs and self-inflicted injuries through bites to his arm and his tongue.

Following the inquest, Jodie Anderson, a caseworker for the charity Inquest, on behalf of his family, said: "Krystian’s death is another shocking example of the lethal consequences of police officers dealing with people in mental health crises.”