The IPCC investigation into the death of Smiley Culture has found no evidence of criminal offence.
A hugely respected performer, Smiley Culture’s death stunned his family, friends and many admirers. During a drugs related search on his home, the singer was apparently allowed into his kitchen where he was found slumped with a knife wound to his chest.
Since then, the family of the singer – real name David Emmanuel – have campaigned for more information on the incident.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission launched an enquiry into the incident, which revealed its results yesterday (November 29th). (via BBC)
Investigating the actions of individual officers as well as the overall planning of the operation, the IPCC delivered its verdict. PCC Commissioner Mike Franklin said after “careful consideration and in consultation with lawyers from both the IPCC and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)” he had taken the decision not to refer the case to the CPS.
The investigation found that there was no evidence of a criminal offence being committed, and that there were no individual failings which could lead to a case for misconduct.
However the IPCC did raise concerns about a number of issues pertaining to the operational planning and risk management of the investigation. A separate report is being sent to the Metropolitan Police so it can analyse the findings and implement new techniques where required.
IPCC Commissioner Mike Franklin explained that all of the evidence had been passed to the coroner who was working closely with the family of Smiley Culture. In closing, he said: “I hope that arrangements can now begin for the inquest – which will be the opportunity for all the evidence to be heard, and tested, in public”.
