Family upset at officers still on duty after man shot dead in Redditch
Marcus Meade was shot by a firearms officer on Christmas Eve.
The family of a man shot dead by police in Redditch on Christmas Eve say they're "disappointed" the officers involved are still on duty despite an ongoing investigation.
Marcus Meade was shot in the chest by a firearms officer after they were called to Fownhope Close for a welfare concern.
Bishop Desmond Jaddoo said “To say the family are disappointed is an understatement. Clearly, to ensure an orderly transparent and fully cooperative process with the IOPC, it would have been prudent to remove the officer who fired the fatal shot from duty, as questions are being raised about the whole incident. What message does this really send to the community?”.
Deborah Freckleton, Marcus’s mother said “So it was alright to kill my son? It is the police why we are having to bury Marcus”
Father Anthony Meade also said “The Officers have had time to reflect and receiving support and we are left with planning a funeral."
The family have announced that the funeral of Marcus Meade will take place in Birmingham on Thursday 27th February 2025 at 10.30am in Lozells.
A West Mercia Police Spokesperson said: "The officers involved have not been suspended and, after a period of reflection, have returned to duty.
"In a gravely serious incident such as this, the suspension of police officers is a significant decision. It is a process guided by regulations and policies, which we have adhered to. The decision is regularly reviewed, as the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation progresses, to ensure it remains appropriate and proportionate.
"We continue to cooperate fully and unreservedly with the independent investigation being carried out by the IOPC to ensure that Marcus’ family are given the answers that they rightly want and deserve. "