What is acute behavioural disturbance (ABD) in relation to police incidents?

ABD is an umbrella term for conditions causing disturbed behaviour, often requiring emergency response and medical attention.

Why did the coroner review Lincolnshire Police and EMAS procedures?

The review followed the death of Robert Gracey after restraint, highlighting a lack of joint protocols for ABD cases.

When is the deadline for Lincolnshire Police and EMAS to respond to the coroner's report?

Lincolnshire Police and EMAS were requested to respond by March 3rd with details of actions taken.

Home / Crime and Justice / Police Restraint Death Spurs Protocol Review

Police Restraint Death Spurs Protocol Review

9 Jan

•

Summary

39-year-old Robert Gracey died after restraint by police.
Coroner cited lack of joint procedure for acute behavioural disturbance.
Jury found failure to treat incident as a medical emergency.

Police Restraint Death Spurs Protocol Review

Emergency services are being urged to reassess their protocols for managing acute behavioural disturbance (ABD) following the death of 39-year-old Robert Gracey. Gracey died after being restrained by Lincolnshire Police.

A Prevention of Future Deaths report highlighted that both Lincolnshire Police and East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) lack a joint procedure for ABD cases, despite a recommendation made in 2019. This absence means suspected ABD incidents may not be treated as medical emergencies.

An inquest jury concluded that the effects of cocaine, restraint, and struggle contributed to Gracey's death. They found a critical failure to treat the situation as a medical emergency after Gracey was handcuffed, missing a chance for earlier medical intervention.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.