The 32-year-old was taken to hospital just over an hour after he arrived at Heavitree Road Police Station in Exeter, Devon
Three police staff have been charged with killing a mentally-ill church caretaker who died after being held in custody.
Sergeant Jan Kingshott and custody detention officers Simon Tansley and Michael Marsden are accused of the manslaughter of Thomas Orchard.
The 32-year-old was arrested in Exeter on October 3, 2012, on suspicion of a public order offence.
He was taken by police van to Heavitree Road Police Station in Exeter, Devon, at 11.10am.
But just over an hour later he was taken by ambulance to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital where he was placed in an induced coma in intensive care.
He failed to recover consciousness when his sedation was lifted and he was pronounced dead on October 10.
The Crown Prosecution Service said the three officers, who all work for Devon and Cornwall Police, also face a charge of misconduct in public office.
They will appear before Exeter Magistrates' Court on January 29.
The three officers face two different manslaughter charges.
The first alleges that between October 2 and 11 2012 they unlawfully killed Mr Orchard by the use of unreasonable force.
The second charge states that between October 2 and 11 2012 they unlawfully killed Mr Orchard by gross negligence.
The final charge, of misconduct in a public office, states that the three officers wilfully misconducted themselves in relation to their dealings with Mr Orchard on October 3 2012.
Prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to bring charges against three constables and a custody nurse employed by a private contractor.
Malcolm McHaffie, deputy head of special crime at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Sergeant Jan Kingshott and Custody Detention Officers Simon Tansley and Michael Marsden, all of Devon and Cornwall Police, have been charged with the manslaughter of ThomasOrchard and with misconduct in public office.
"As part of our review of this case we have also decided that there is insufficient evidence to bring charges against three Devon and Cornwall Police constables and an on-site custody nurse employed by Serco.
"The decision to prosecute was reached after careful consideration of the evidence and was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
"We have determined that there is sufficient evidence to give rise to a realistic prospect of conviction and that a prosecution is in the public interest.
"All three individuals will appear at Exeter Magistrates' Court on January 29.
"Criminal proceedings have now commenced and the defendants have the right to a fair trial.
"It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."
