PORT HURON (WWJ) – An internal police review of the death of a 26-year-old Port Huron man at a bar last month has found officers involved in the incident were compliant.
Joshua Conant died after being held down by bouncers at the Roche Bar on Nov. 4 in the aftermath of a large fight.
Officers responded to the scene and "helped secure the individual being held down by bar staff" before noticing he was unresponsive. Officers and bar staff then unsuccessfully tried to resuscitate Conant, who had been handcuffed, according to reports.
"The Administrative Review team found that our officers' training and actions met the expectations of the department," said a statement released by the Port Huron Police Department on Thursday. "Furthermore, it was found that they followed policy and they used their training effectively."
Officials said the administrative review is required by department policy after a critical incident and examines whether department personnel were in compliance with policy and to identify any possible training needs.
"Our officers acted professionally throughout this stressful incident. We take all critical incidents seriously and strive to maintain the highest standards of professionalism," the department said.
All officers involved in the incident have since returned to full duty.
Friends of Conant and other Port Huron residents have spoken out about the actions of the police officers the night he died, saying the officer should be disciplined for handcuffing him first before rendering first aid. A vigil was held outside the bar days after his death and some have spoken to the city council.
The police department's press release on Thursday didn't address the criminal investigation into Conant's death, which is being handled by the Michigan State Police. The investigation remains ongoing, pending autopsy and toxicology results.
