POLICE chiefs have referred the death of a man to independent watchdogs after it emerged he had contact with officers before being found dead.

Workers at a carpet shop raised the alarm after finding the man slumped next to a bus stop in Stechford, at about 5.30am yesterday.

The 38-year-old man, who has not yet been named, was pronounced dead at the scene.

It is understood that police are not treating his death as suspicious.

West Midlands Police’s professional standards unit are investigating the matter as an officer may have seen or spoken with the man sometime before he died.

The incident in Station Road has also been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission to see whether an independent investigation is warranted.

The IPCC has the power to investigate deaths were the deceased has had recent contact with police and there may have been concerns over their welfare.