Police slam custody death film

A BRITISH police force has complained after CCTV footage of a former paratrooper choking to death while handcuffed and in their custody was shown on television last night.

Christopher Alder, aged 37, died with his trousers around his ankles at Queen’s Gardens police station, Hull, in April, 1998, after being arrested for breach of the peace.

The footage, described as “very disturbing” by programme producers, was shown in a documentary in BBC1’s Rough Justice series last night.

Deputy Chief Constable Steve Love, of Humberside Police, said: “The BBC has chosen to show the CCTV footage, which was not provided by Humberside Police. We firmly believe that a film which portrays someone dying is not for public viewing. Christopher Alder's death has been a tragedy. Many people have been affected deeply by his passing but none more so than his immediate family.

“In terms of the impact upon the police officers and their families, it is true to say that this has been quite enormous. Their lives have been deeply affected.

“All of the officers deeply regret the death of Christopher Alder. All have faced a criminal trial and a discipline hearing and all have been acquitted of any wrongdoing.

“As far as Christopher Alder’s family is concerned Humberside Police acknowledges that there is an absolute need to have face-to-face contact with the family with a view to listening to what has happened to them over the past six years.

“Our thoughts continue to go out to Christopher Alder’s family especially and all those who have been affected by this tragedy.” Mr Love said Humberside Police have introduced “changes which better safeguard the needs of those in custody”. These changes include further training for officers and support staff and “significant improvements” in the provision of custody arrangements.

Monkey-like noises were found on an audio tape as Mr Alder lay dead.

Yesterday, Mr Alder’s sister Janet, of Burnley, Lancs, told BBC Breakfast that she thought the choice to show the footage was “a very extreme measure”, but supported the decision.

She said: “It’s not been an easy decision to make, but we feel that ordinary people need to know what’s going on, because there’s been millions and millions of pounds keeping these police officers from taking the responsibility. This could happen to anybody.”

Ms Alder also called for a public inquiry into her brother’s death. “It’s been a lip service with all the organisations. There have been 150 questions asked at an inquest and a criminal trial. Not one has been answered. There have been no apologies, absolutely no explanation.”

The documentary’s executive producer Simon Ford said: “When I saw it (the footage) I thought it would be unquestionably the case that it would be in the public interest to show it and allow people to make up their own minds.”

An inquest concluded Mr Alder, a Falklands veteran who was also decorated for his service with the Army in Northern Ireland, was unlawfully killed.

Sgt John Dunn, aged 40, and Pcs Neil Blakey, aged 42, Mark Ellerington, aged 37, Nigel Dawson, aged 41, and Matthew Barr, aged 38, of Humberside Police, were cleared of manslaughter and misconduct.

An independent hearing cleared all of them of neglect of duty allegations.