Disabled man faced discrimination

Police discriminated against a disabled man when they arrested him and need to address their policy urgently, the police watchdog has said. Jonathan Lea, a Birmingham tetraplegic who uses a wheelchair, complained following his arrest in May 2006.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) criticised the way in which Mr Lea was physically handled and said officers did not lock his car. It also criticised the station's disabled facilities. Mr Lea's claims that officers were racist and abusive to him were rejected.

The inquiry found the force had not used a dedicated taxi firm employed for wheelchair users in taking Mr Lea to the station and also criticised the way he was physically handled. It said the custody had not been adapted for wheelchair needs despite guidance being issued saying it should do so.

Several police officers will be spoken to about failing to lock Mr Lea's car when he was arrested. Mr Lea said that when he returned to his car, his belongings were missing and his puppy had escaped.

IPCC Commissioner John Crawley said: "Following our investigation I want to emphasise we have not upheld any of the more graphic allegations by Mr Lea about the conduct of individual officers. However, it is equally clear that because of the force's failure to make appropriate provision for disabled detainees Mr Lea was discriminated against - that is, he was treated differently and to his detriment because of his disability and the force had no adequate reason or justification for so doing."