Update in investigation into the death of man shot dead in Redditch
The IOPC have told us of the latest steps in their investigation.
Independent Office for Police Conduct investigators are continuing to gather and review evidence as part of an ongoing investigation into the fatal police shooting of Marcus Meade in Redditch on Christmas Eve.
Investigators have collated detailed accounts from the police officers involved at the scene and the more senior officers who were in strategic command of the incident.
They have gathered and are continuing to review a significant volume of police body worn video footage spanning the several hours that officers were outside the address.
Also, the police watchdog's received technical analysis of the police weapons involved.
IOPC investigators have met with members of Mr Meade’s family to express their sympathies and to update them on the progress of the investigation.
The family raised a number of complaints about police actions that day which will be examined as part of the investigation.
The police watchdog is investigating the police strategy and tactics throughout the overall incident and officers’ actions and decision-making including any risk assessments of the situation, and whether relevant policies and procedures were followed.
In particular the level of force used by officers and whether it was necessary, reasonable and proportionate in all the circumstances.
Investigators are also looking at whether officers properly took into account Mr Meade’s mental health issues and if Mr Meade’s race may have influenced any actions taken by police. Other complaints being investigating include how police interacted with a member of Mr Meade’s family who attended Fownhope Close during the incident, the steps taken by police to communicate with Mr Meade’s family straight after his death, and if the date and time of the incident was a factor in the decisions made by the police.
IOPC Director Derrick Campbell said: “I offer my condolences again to Mr Meade’s family, and everyone affected by his death.
“We are working hard to establish all the circumstances surrounding what took place that day. I would like to reassure everyone in the community that our work will continue to be thorough, impartial, and independent of the police. Our investigation is progressing and there is a large amount of evidence that our investigators are continuing to gather and analyse. All the officers involved are being treated as witnesses and this will be kept under review as the investigation develops.
“While we have undertaken some door-to-door enquiries in the neighbourhood, we would still like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed events or have information that could assist our investigation.”
West Mercia Police said: "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."