KEY POINTS:
A mentally ill south Auckland man who died after being pepper-sprayed by police yesterday died of a heart attack, a post mortem shows.
Police said Henry Bailey, 42, was pepper-sprayed and hit with a baton after confronting two police constables in an "aggressive, threatening, challenging" manner outside his Mangere home yesterday morning.
As the officers began to handcuff him, they became worried he was not breathing and performed CPR.
An ambulance was called but Mr Bailey could not be revived.
The officers had been responding to a 111 call from Mr Bailey's flatmate claiming that he had been assaulted by Mr Bailey.
A post mortem examination of Mr Bailey carried out this morning indicated he died of a heart attack, but police were awaiting toxicology results before reaching a final conclusion.
Investigation head Detective Superintendent Andy Lovelock said due to a pre-existing heart condition, Mr Bailey was susceptible to suffering a heart attack at any time, particularly when in a heightened emotional state.
"His death is sad for all concerned."
Mr Bailey's family said yesterday they were surprised by reports he had "flipped out" as he had never done so before.
"He's never angry, he's loving," his cousin Nane Malupo said.
Mr Bailey's death also brought calls for more research into the impact of pepper spray on people on medication.
Mental Health Foundation chief executive Judi Clements acknowledged police had a challenging role in such situations, but said they needed to take into account whether a person was on medication.
"The same issue arises with the use of the Taser. We have to be looking very carefully with some level of independent inquiry as to whether this was the only response the police could have made," she told The New Zealand Herald.
Mental Health Commission manager Karen Coutts told the newspaper she was not aware of any links between the use of pepper spray and increased risks for people with mental illness.
Mr Bailey and the man who called police were both under psychiatric care.
Mr Bailey was in a psychiatric unit but was released about a year ago.
Mr Lovelock said the police investigation was continuing. Police were speaking to witnesses and a scene examination was expected to be completed later today.
"The investigation team are maintaining regular contact with Mr Bailey's family both in New Zealand and overseas," he said.
An investigator from the Independent Police Conduct Authority was in Auckland today leading an investigation into police actions during the incident.
- NZPA
