Tasered man's family takes legal action against police watchdog

The family of Oladeji Adeyemi Omishore says the actions of the Met Police officers "amounted to excessive use of force"

The family of a man who died after being Tasered on a London bridge is taking legal action against the police watchdog for failing to criminally investigate the two officers involved.

Oladeji Omishore was pulled from the River Thames after a confrontation with two Metropolitan Police officers on 4 June, and later died in hospital.

The family says the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is "biased" for treating the officers as witnesses.

The IOPC says it is investigating.

It said it had "received correspondence" from the family's legal representatives, which was "being carefully considered".

The police were called to Albert Bridge in Chelsea after reports that Mr Omishore was seen shouting and holding a screwdriver, which later turned out to be a plastic and metal firelighter.

The 41-year-old faced struggles with his mental health, the family said. It is believed he was going through a mental health crisis at the time of the incident.

Now the family is bringing legal action against the IOPC and challenging its decision not to hold a criminal investigation into his death, which they say was unlawful and irrational.

Oladeji Omishore, 41, faced struggles with his mental health, his family says

The legal action comes after a separate damning report published earlier, detailing serious misconduct within the Metropolitan Police.

The family says the IOPC is "not fit for purpose" and has been "completely biased" in its treatment of the officers during the investigation.

Mr Omishore's father, Alfred Omishore, said video from the night appeared to show his son running towards the river before being Tasered "multiple times", and showed his son was "in pain".

"At no time did they seek to de-escalate. No attempt was made to restrain him," he said.

Alfred Omishore claimed it appeared the officers "didn't care what the young man was going through".

IOPC investigators have previously confirmed Mr Omishore was Tasered more than once.

Oladeji's sister, Remi, said it was "completely outrageous" the officers involved in the incident were being treated as witnesses and "not as subjects of a conduct investigation".

Oladeji Omishore (right) with his father Alfred Omishore

She said the family had concerns about the IOPC's "inability, or perhaps reluctance, to apply the proper threshold in our brother's case".

"The officers are still on active duty, going about their daily lives with impunity. It's unacceptable in this day and age," she added.

The family also pointed to delays in replacing incorrect information, including the suggestion Mr Omishore had been brandishing a screwdriver, which they allege took the force 13 days to correct.

His father says he hopes that as a result of the family's action, they will ensure the IOPC "does the right thing".

'Kept under review'

An IOPC spokesperson said: "Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the family and friends of Oladeji Omishore.

"We have received correspondence from the family's legal representatives today which is being carefully considered.

"During any investigation, we keep conduct matters under constant review and take decisions based on the evidence available.

Police were called to reports of a man who was armed with a screwdriver and shouting on Chelsea Bridge Road

"At this stage, we have no indication that any of the officers involved may have breached police professional standards or committed a criminal offence. This will be kept under review during the investigation.

"We are committed to keeping Mr Omishore's family updated."

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