Official Statements
Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FOI/24/006357/S
Version Date: 15/10/2024
I would like any official statements that Devon and Cornwall Police made in relation to the case of Marc Cole who died in 2017 following contact with the police who used a taser.
The Corporate Communications Department have provided the following information.
- The following statement was issued reactively to several media outlets:
“Police were notified around 9pm last night [Tuesday 23 May] to reports of a concern for the welfare of an individual at an address on Langton Road in Falmouth. On arrival officers were confronted with a man who was in possession of a knife. Due to the unfolding dynamic incident, police deployed Taser. The man was taken to Trelisk Hospital where he was later declared as deceased; his next of kin have been informed. As per statutory guidelines, the matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). To ascertain a clear picture of the incident, the road was cordoned off last night and will remain in place for the time being. Devon and Cornwall Police are co-operating with the IPCC who are independently investigating this incident, therefore we are currently unable to comment further while further investigations are ongoing.”
- The following statements were prepared on an if-asked basis but never published:
- “Devon and Cornwall Police mandatorily referred this matter to the IPCC.
- “The IPCC are independently investigating this, and as a result, Devon and Cornwall Police cannot give family liaison support to the family concerned in line with IPCC advice.
- “All family contact on the matter would be co-ordinated and managed by the IPCC during an independent investigation.
- “Devon and Cornwall Police continue to co-operate fully with this ongoing enquiry.”
- The following statements were issued reactively to several media outlets:
“We are aware of the findings of the jury following the inquest of the death of Marc Cole. As was made clear in the inquest proceedings, our officers were faced with a unique and incredibly challenging set of circumstances on the night of May 23, 2017. They acted to prevent Marc Cole further harming himself in an attempt to save his life, despite perceiving there to be a risk of harm from Mr Cole to both themselves and the public. It is difficult to comprehend the gravity of the situation that PC Wilson and others believed they were faced with at the material time. The matter was referred to, and investigated by, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which concluded the performance of our officers did not fall below the standard expected. Our sympathies remain with Mr Cole’s family and friends.”
- “We are aware of statements made by Mr Cole’s sister and partner. Whilst we acknowledge the impact this incident has had on the family, wider community and officers involved, we strongly refute any suggestion that any officers who appeared at the inquest falsified evidence. This suggestion is not supported by any of the findings from the inquest jury.”