POLICE COMPLAINTS AUTHORITY SUPERVISING ARNOLD CELL DEATH INVESTIGATION

[COI]

POLICE COMPLAINTS AUTHORITY
19 March 1998
POLICE COMPLAINTS AUTHORITY SUPERVISING
ARNOLD CELL DEATH INVESTIGATION

The independent Police Complaints Authority has begun supervision of
the investigation into the death of a man at a Nottinghamshire police
station.

Mr Richard Michael Kolasa, 43, was found hanging in his cell at 7.40
pm. He had been arrested for allegedly trying to pass controlled
drugs into Nottingham Prison. He was taken to Arnold police station
at 4.35 p.m.

Nottinghamshire constabulary voluntarily referred the incident to the
PCA last night. Authority member Mr Jim Elliott has agreed to the
appointment of Acting Detective Superintendent George Frame of
Nottinghamshire Constabulary as the investigating officer.

Mr Elliott said: "Last night I confirmed that the evidence at the
scene had been preserved and agreed action to be taken. The post
morten examination was held last night and I shall be in regular
contact with the investigating officer throughout.

"The completed investigation file will go to H M Coroner so that he
can hold the inquest into this tragedy, in public," he said.