A POLICE watchdog today announced it has launched an independent investigation into the death of a man who passed away after being arrested.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is to probe the death of Marcus Cottoy, 31, who died on Sunday March 22.

He was arrested over suspected criminal damage at a pub in London Road, High Wycombe late on Saturday night and taken to Amersham Police Station at 00.45am on Sunday.

A decision was taken to section him under the Mental Health Act and Mr Cottoy, of Hawthorne Avenue, Micklefield, was taken to an NHS assessment centre at about 2pm.

While there his condition deteriorated, the IPCC said, and he was taken to Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury where he died at 4.44pm.

The IPCC said a post mortem found three packages in his bowel, one of which contained white powder and had ruptured.

There was “no evidence of an assault”, it said.

IPCC Commissioner Mike Franklin said: “The death of a young man in these kind of circumstances can raise a range of concerns and it is important that Marcus’ family and the local community can feel confident that an independent investigation will take place.

“To that end, we will endeavour to keep the public up to date with the progress of our investigation and make our findings public as soon as possible.”

An IPCC statement said: “An independent investigation is taking place, following the death of a 31-year-old man in Thames Valley.

“Marcus Cottoy from High Wycombe was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage late on Saturday 21 March 2009.

“He was taken to Amersham Police Station at 00.45 on Sunday morning.

“At 6.30am, following an assessment by a forensic medical examiner, a mental health team was called.

“They attended the police station and Marcus was sectioned under Section 2 of the Mental Health Act.

“He was taken under police escort to a local NHS mental health assessment centre.

“While in the assessment centre, his condition deteriorated and he was transferred by emergency ambulance to Stoke Mandeville Hospital but was pronounced dead at approximately 4.44pm.”

It said: “A post mortem examination was carried out by a Home Office Pathologist which revealed Marcus had three packages in his bowel, which contained white powder.

“One of these had ruptured. There was no evidence of an assault.

“Thames Valley Police referred the case to the IPCC and an independent investigation is taking place.

“A family liaison manager has been appointed to keep Marcus’ family up to date with the progress of the investigation.

“IPCC investigators are checking CCTV, interviewing witnesses, including custody staff, and examining custody records.”

Mr Cottoy played for Marlow Football Club and Wycombe Marsh Football Club.

He leaves a sister Cherelle, 18, step brother Dean Matthews, 35, his brother Alex 26, and daughter Maia, 7.

Mr Cottoy's family released a statement through the police last month which said: “Our darling son, Marcus, was tragically taken away from us.

“Marcus was a fun-loving, caring, bubbly son, brother, dad to his daughter, grandson, and friend.

“Marcus will be greatly missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to know him.”

An inquest was opened and adjourned on Monday March 30.