Finding into death of Gregory John Caulfield

34y · Male·Multiple injuries sustained in a fall from a height

Gregory Caulfield, aged 34, died from multiple injuries sustained falling from a ninth-floor balcony while attempting to escape police attempting to arrest him for burglary. During the arrest attempt in a confined flat, two officers struggled to restrain him while a third deployed OC spray without prior warning, affecting all present. Officers then exited the flat believing the subject incapacitated; Caulfield locked the door behind them and fled to the balcony to attempt escape. The coroner found police use of force was reasonable in the circumstances and did not contribute to his death. Key issues included lack of verbal warning before OC spray deployment, failure to maintain supervision of another detainee who escaped, and the unplanned deployment of OC spray in a confined space without consideration of environmental risks or alternatives. The finding emphasizes the importance of planning, communication, and proper deployment protocols in high-risk police operations.