Sussex Police were called to the house in St Leonards-on-Sea on June 21 following reports that a male resident in a wheelchair was threatening staff with a knife. When they arrived they found 93-year-old Donald Burgess, who only had one leg and suffered from dementia, holding a knife. After speaking with him briefly, one of the officers used PAVA spray and a baton in an attempt to disarm and restrain him. A second officer then deployed his Taser before the knife was removed and Mr Burgess was handcuffed. He was then taken to hospital for medical treatment but died three weeks later on 13 July. The exact cause of his death has not yet been ascertained. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the use of force and two officers are under criminal investigation. IOPC regional director Graham Beesley said: “I want to express my condolences to the man’s relatives and those who knew him. We have informed his relatives of our independent investigation and explained the steps we will take. “This will include an investigation into whether the force used by the two officers against this man was reasonable, necessary and proportionate in the circumstances and in accordance with local and national policies, procedures and guidance.”