Police Watchdog Probes Death of Student Henry Nowak After He Repeated “I Can’t Breathe” While Handcuffed

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has confirmed that an investigation into the police actions surrounding the death of student Henry Nowak is ongoing. Nowak, who repeatedly said “I can’t breathe” while handcuffed, died during the incident.

Investigation Status

The Independent Office for Police Conduct, the United Kingdom’s police oversight body, stated that its inquiry remains active. The agency is examining the circumstances that led to Nowak’s death, including the use of restraint and the officers’ response to his verbal distress. No timeline for the investigation’s conclusion has been provided.

Details of the Incident

Henry Nowak, a student, was taken into police custody and handcuffed. During the arrest, he repeatedly uttered the phrase “I can’t breathe,” a statement that has become emblematic of restraint-related asphyxia concerns in law enforcement encounters. The precise location and date of the incident have not been released by the watchdog at this stage.

Broader Context of Custodial Deaths

This case adds to a pattern of custodial deaths in the United Kingdom where individuals in police custody have died after expressing respiratory distress. The phrase “I can’t breathe” was widely publicized during the 2020 death of George Floyd in the United States, but similar cases have occurred in British policing. The Independent Office for Police Conduct’s investigation will assess whether police actions were lawful and proportionate under domestic standards.

Law Enforcement Accountability

The probe is part of a wider push for law enforcement accountability in the UK, with the watchdog routinely examining incidents involving restraint-related asphyxia and police misconduct. The outcome of this inquiry may influence future training and protocols for officers handling handcuffed subjects. The Independent Office for Police Conduct has not indicated whether any officers have been suspended or placed on restricted duties.

Context: This investigation follows similar cases such as the 2020 death of Kevin Clarke, who died after being restrained by police in London, and the 2017 death of Edson Da Costa, whose inquest found police restraint contributed to his death. Both cases led to calls for reform in UK policing oversight and restraint techniques.