Watchdog to examine race as factor after man shot

Marcus Meade died on Christmas Eve following a five-hour stand-off with police

An investigation into the death of a father-of-two who was killed by armed police on Christmas Eve would consider if his race was a factor in the shooting, the police watchdog said.

Following a five-hour standoff with West Mercia Police, Marcus Meade died at a property on Fownhope Close, Redditch, Worcestershire.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the 39-year-old's family have raised several complaints about police actions on the day.

A spokeswoman for West Mercia Police previously said the force was co-operating with the police watchdog's investigation.

Among the other complaints raised by Mr Meade's family, they included a decision by the force not to suspend the officers involved.

They also raised with the IOPC:

• How police communicated with a member of the family at the scene during the incident

• The way they communicated with the family straight after his death

• If the date and time of the standoff, at about 14:00 GMT on 24 December, was a factor in decisions made by officers

Mr Meade was reportedly alone inside the property at the time and suffering a mental health episode when he was shot.

Officers were called to the address to reports of a concern for welfare.

The IOPC previously said they tried to negotiate with Mr Meade, who had a knife, on the night he died, when he was hit in the chest by a single bullet.

The watchdog added officers used distraction devices and at least one Taser before the fatal shot was fired.

IOPC investigators said they have met with Mr Meade's family and updated them on their investigation.

The inquiry had seen several hours of body-worn video footage reviewed as well as a technical analysis of the weapons used by police.

IOPC director Derrick Campbell said: "I would like to reassure everyone in the community that our work will continue to be thorough, impartial, and independent of the police"

He said all officers involved were being treated as witnesses and this would be kept under review as the investigation continued.

Marcus Meade's parents, Anthony Meade and Deborah Freckleton, have previously criticised a decision not to suspend the officers involved on the day

Earlier this week, Mr Meade's family criticised the decision not to suspend the officers involved.

His mother, Deborah Freckleton, asked if the decision had meant it was "all right to kill my son".

The West Mercia Police spokeswoman said the officers were not suspended and "after a period of reflection" returned to duty.

Suspending them could have been "a significant decision" and the force stuck to regulations and policies, she added.

The decision would be reviewed as the IOPC investigated, she added.

The IOPC said it was also investigating police officers' decision-making and risk assessments of the situation as well as whether relevant policies and procedures were followed.

The level of force used and whether it was necessary, reasonable and proportionate would also be considered, a spokesperson said.

They were also examining whether officers properly took into account Mr Meade's mental health issues and if his race might have influenced any actions taken by police, they added.

An inquest into Mr Meade's death was opened and adjourned.