A senior officer expressed concerns there may be allegations Sheku Bayoh's race played a part in his death in police custody, an inquiry has heard.
Sergeant Scott Maxwell managed the response team on the day of May 3 2015, when Mr Bayoh died following reports he was carrying a knife on the Hayfield Road in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
He told the inquiry officers had been instructed to return to Kirkcaldy Police Station after Mr Bayoh had been taken to hospital.