16 December 201116 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Government responds to UFFC custody death reform demands

The following are excerpts from the full letter from Nick Herbert
(Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice):
7th December 2011

Thank you for your letter of 28 October to the Prime Minister about the United Family and Friends campaign: Deaths in state custody. I am replying as the Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice. I am sorry for the delay.

I can assure you that the Government regrets every death in state custody. The lndependent Police Complaints commission (IPCC) is a Non-Departmental Public Body, established in 2004 under the Police Reform Act 2002 to provide a specific service to the public on behalf of the Home office.

The lPCC is independent – by law – and they make their decisions independently of the police, Government, complainants and interest groups.

30 November 201116 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Smiley Culture’s death in police raid does not justify charges, IPCC rules

originally by: The Guardian
published: 29th Nov 2011

Police have been criticised by an independent watchdog for a botched raid that led to the death of reggae star Smiley Culture, it was revealed on Tuesday. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) claim that Smiley Culture, otherwise known as David Emmanuel, died after stabbing himself through the heart during a drugs raid at his Surrey home on 15 March 2011.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) conducted an investigation into Emmanuel’s death. The summary of their final report – the coroner has asked that the full report is not made public or shared with Emmanuel’s family – condemns the raid as significantly flawed and compels the MPS to overhaul the way they plan and execute future drug seizures.

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29 November 201116 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Anger at Met Police tactics on demo

Police Line - by Stephen Gent 2011 — by Stephen Gent

all credits: Socialist Worker
published: 23rd November 2011

Campaigners challenged Metropolitan Police commissioner Bernard Hogan‑Howe last Thursday over “aggressive and degrading treatment” at a recent demonstration against deaths in custody. The activists from the United Families and Friends Campaign (UFFC) demanded answers at a meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority.

The UFFC’s annual march for justice took place last month. The 500-strong demonstration ended with a noisy, but peaceful protest on the road outside Downing Street.