Joy Gardner suffocated to death after police officers wrapped 13 feet of surgical tape around her face and restrained her in a body belt. Her mother, Myrna, is still unable to come to terms with the circumstances of her death. "I couldn't believe that human beings could be so cruel," she laments. Myrna's pain has been exacerbated by the fact that no one has been held responsible for her daughter's death.

Her anguish is all too familiar for the family of Shiji Lapite, who was beaten to death by two police officers nine years ago. The post mortem revealed over 40 injuries on his body, including crushed bones and bruising consistent with a sustained and serious attack. No one was prosecuted for the attack and the findings of a internal police enquiry were deliberately withheld from the family. Instead, they were forced to wait for a public inquest to learn how Shiji died.

Brian Douglas and Ibrahima Sey also died in suspicious circumstances while in police custody. Ibrahima was assaulted and sprayed with CS gas while Brian was hit over the head with force equivalent to being dropped on his head from over 20 meters. He was then detained for over 15 hours before the police called an ambulance. Yet again, forensic evidence discredited the police's statements but no prosecutions were brought. "They treated him like an animal .. he was just another piece of meat to them," despairs Ibrahima's cousin. Brian's mother agrees. "I need justice. I need to see those policemen charged."

Like the vast majority of people to die in violent circumstances in police custody, Joy, Shiji, Brian and Ibrhima were all black. Their deaths heightens the growing gulf between the British police and the black community and provoked a series of protests. "In less than 12 months they killed three black men. No police have been arrested. No police have been suspended. No police have been charged. I tell you, they have a plan for us," complains Brian's brother. His friend, Minkah Adofo articulates the fears of the whole community: "It seems to me the life of a black person is not really worth very much."

This film documents the mockery of internal investigations within the police force and the frustrations of a legal system that has betrayed them. "The authorities don't want to help you. They want you to go away," comments Brian's sister. More and more people are asking why a killer in police uniform is not judged by the same standards as the rest of society. This deeply personal documentary skilfully questions why so many people have died in police custody.

Winner of the Best Documentary at the BFM International Film Festival 2002.

Produced by Migrant Media