'I'm sorry we didn't protect you, son' – former mayor apologises to family of man who died after being restrained by police officers
A former mayor has apologised to the family of Clinton McCurbin who died in a Wolverhampton shop after being restrained by police officers four decades years ago.
Sandra Samuels, who served as the city's first citizen in 2022-23, was speaking at a long-awaited memorial service for the 24-year-old, who died while officers were attempting to arrest him on February 20, 1987 in relation to stolen credit card allegations.
His death from asphyxia in a Dudley Street shop resulted in both peaceful demonstrations and serious disorder - akin to scenes after the George Floyd tragedy in Minneapolis in the United States four years ago.
Mrs Samuels, a retired nurse and former Ettingshall ward representative said: "As one of the city's former civic leaders, a former city mayor and former city councillor who has participated in Wolverhampton's political landscape for some 25 years, I want to say how sorry we are for not protecting you son, Clinton Ludlow McCurbin.
"I want to say sorry for not having strong and robust enough policies in place, to control the violent behaviour and ongoing racialism which still exists within our institutions and that of the police force. We will continue to fight for social justice. Clinton Ludlow McCurbin, continue to rest in peace.
"This happened during an arrest. Clinton died of asphyxiation.Yet another death within police custody.
"Having been brought up in Wolverhampton from the age of 10 this could have been my brother, this could have been my nephew. Racism and excessive violent behaviour towards our black men and black women have plagued our society for many years and continue to do so."
The service held at Church Of God Of Prophecy, in Gloucester Street, Whitmore Reans, was attended by Mr McCurbin's mother Esther, who lives in New York, and guests included West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster.
Directly addressing the family, Mrs Samuels said: "Mrs McCurbin, Clinton's extended family and friends, you will not get over the loss of your loved one. You will learn to live with it. You will heal and continue to rebuild yourself, around the loss you have suffered.
"You will be whole again, but you'll never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to.
"Black people in this city continue to fight for social justice. Social justice within our city should seek to promote human dignity, equality, peace, genuine security, focusing on, ongoing crime, police repression, and the penal system. The metropolitan police has a responsibility to keep its citizens safe and protect us all from harm. Not harm us.
"We may have made progress, but there is so much more to do."
Hundreds have so far viewed a recording of the service on YouTube, while a wreath-laying ceremony was held outside the old Next store in Dudley Street where the welder died after a struggle with Pcs Michael Hobday and Neil Thomas.
The organiser Ruth South, of CARE (Community Allyship Restoration Equality/Empathy), said the service was well received by residents who attended and well-wishers watching the online stream.
She said questions still remain over who exactly presented the stolen credit card at the till.
"There were other people in the shop who fled when the police were called, but Clinton stayed where he was. If he was responsible it begs the question, why didn't he leg it? He shouldn't have died. No-one should have died for that," Mrs South said.
Ahead of the service Mrs McCurbin said: "A 'nightmare' is a simple way of putting it. It's not nice for any mother to go through that kind of pain. It's not been easy over the years. I wouldn't like another mother to go through that. To know that your child died under that kind of brutality is not fair."
The postmortem found that Mr McCurbin's death was "consistent with the occlusion of the airway'' - total obstruction of his windpipe.
Chief Inspector Jason Nunn, of West Midlands Police, said: "The way we use force is constantly reviewed and officers receive training that is nationally approved.
"Enhancement in training, equipment and the use of body worn video have seen significant improvements in how officers respond to incidents.
“Scrutiny around the way we use force is important for us and for the public we serve. We hold regular community scrutiny groups, these are members of the community who understand their communities, have a voice in their communities and where needed, hold us to account for our actions.
"Their job is to make sure we have used force appropriately, fairly and legally.
“Every time an officer uses force, their supervisor reviews the record including watching back their bodyworn video. This is to make sure that the use was ethical, proportionate and legal.
"If it falls below the standards we expect from our officers, then action is taken. We have robust processes in place which includes digital recording of our use of force and this data makes us more accountable to the public we serve. We use the data to provide organisational learning which helps us to continually review our methods, training and communication skills."