The sister of a Fife man who died in police custody has said the family and local community are “fearful” of the police and no longer trust in them.
Sheku Bayoh, 31, was detained following an incident in Kirkcaldy on May 3 and died in custody.
His death is being investigated by Scotland’s police watchdog, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC).
Kadi Johnson claimed that her brother died because excessive force was used and the appropriate protocols were not followed.
She also said the officers present should have been suspended “without prejudice” while the investigation continues and said police involved in such cases should be compelled to give witness statements straight after the event.
Ms Johnson spoke out in an interview with the radio station LBC.
She was asked by presenter Shelagh Fogarty whether she believed her brother’s death was a case of excess brutality by the police.
Ms Johnson said: “Oh yes, excess force was used. Excess force was used, we believe that protocols were not followed, that’s why he died.”
Asked whether confidence in the police had gone, she said: “Gone, for us as a family, members of the community in Scotland, especially in the Kirkcaldy area where he died.
“The confidence has gone. We are all fearful of the police, and we don’t trust in them any more.”
The Scottish Police Federation has previously said the officers on the day in question had been responding to a report of a man brandishing a knife.
Mr Bayoh’s family have said they will not rest until they get answers about his death.
Ms Johnson claimed she was initially told by officers that a passer-by found her brother in the street and that they were looking for two suspects.
She said the family became “very angry” when they realised that he had died in custody and claimed relatives were given five different versions of events in a single day.
Ms Johnson told LBC that her brother had never been involved in any previous “problem” and said she did not recognise the way her brother was being portrayed.
“It was totally out of character, it’s like a different person they were talking about,” she told the show.
Ms Johnson said it was 32 days before police officers gave statements on her brother’s death – something she said increased the family’s distress.
“Nobody was suspended. Up to this day, nobody was suspended,” she said.
She went on: “If it was in any other situation, whoever was involved would have been suspended without prejudice, and they would have been made to give a statement there and then. So why is it different for the police force, for them not to give a statement on the very day it happened, you know? Why?”
Chief Superintendent Garry McEwan said: “I would like to again take this opportunity to offer my condolences to the family and we continue to offer support to them as required.
“An independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sheku Bayoh’s death is currently being carried out by the PIRC.
“We await the conclusion of the investigation and Police Scotland remain committed to co-operating fully with the PIRC’s inquiries.”