A candlelight vigil was held outside Luton Police Station last night for Leon Briggs who died while in police custody.
Five police officers and two support staff were suspended after Leon’s death on November 4, and the IPCC said the inquiry is now a criminal investigation.
Family, friends and members of the community paid tribute to Leon, 39, at the vigil.
A family spokesperson said: “Leon was a loving father, son and brother. He was a kind, loyal, intelligent, caring person who put his family and others first.”
Leon was detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act after Beds Police officers attended the junction of Marsh Road and Willow Way on November 4 and was pronounced dead in hospital that afternoon.
The family spokesperson said: “Leon was unwell and needed specialist help, instead the police forcefully restrained him and he died in police custody.
“We have a lot of questions about why he was put through this terrifying ordeal and why he died.
“We feel he has been let down by the authorities at a time when he should have been provided with specialist care and support.
“It is important to us to see the seriousness with which the IPCC are approaching the investigation into Leon’s death. You will understand that the loss of Leon has come as a tremendous shock to us all and we would ask you to respect our privacy at what is a very difficult time us.”
The announcement that seven people had been suspended was revealed at a community meeting attended by more than 200 people held to discuss the death at the UK Carnival Arts Centre on November 11.
Speaking shortly after Leon’s death, his brother Alan Briggs said: “We grew up on Marsh Farm estate. The family’s happiest times were on the Marsh Farm estate so wherever you are from whether it’s Marsh Farm, Lewsey, we are all united.
“We are all together. We do need justice for Luton, we won’t stop until we get justice for Leon. Keep the flowers coming, keep the support. We need everybody’s support.”
Jim Thakoordin, chair of Luton Committee for Racial Harmony, said he is “alarmed” at Leon’s death.
He said: “Members of Leon Briggs’ family and the local community are very angry at this death, which could have been avoidable, had the police did what they should have done and allowing Leon to seek hospital attention. We await the findings of this case and we encourage anyone with evidence to contact the IPCC.”