Chris Kaba family says officer suspension too slow after shooting

Chris Kaba was due to become a father

The officer who shot dead Chris Kaba in south London should have been suspended sooner, the victim's family says.

The 24-year-old rapper, who was unarmed, was killed by a single shot in Streatham Hill on 5 September.

Mr Kaba's family welcomed the suspension but said there was "no urgency" around the investigation.

His cousin, Jefferson Bosela, told the BBC the officer should have been suspended as soon as the homicide investigation was launched on Friday.

The police watchdog, Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), began a homicide investigation on 9 September.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Bosela told Radio 4's Today programme: "We welcome that decision but, to be honest, I think... the second a criminal investigation was opened he should have been suspended from there.

"You know, first we wanted a criminal investigation opened and that took four days, and then the officer being suspended took another two days.

"So it seems like there's no urgency in their dealings with this quite tragic matter."

A candlelit vigil was held in memory of Chris Kaba on Monday evening

The Met Police said in its statement on Monday the firearms officer had been suspended due to the "significant impact on public confidence", but its decision did "not determine the outcome of the IOPC investigation".

The Met Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, said it was "supporting a brave firearms colleague involved in a recent incident in South London - and we are also supporting their family.

"Our thoughts are with all affected."

It added: "Being a firearms officer in London is one of the world's toughest jobs.

"Officers - volunteers - know the responsibility/accountability that comes with it and deserve our support.

"Ill-informed commentary from those in positions of power following any tragic incident is unwarranted."

'They're struggling'

Mr Kaba, who was due to become a father, was stopped by firearms officers when his car was flagged by a number plate recognition camera.

His cousin, Mr Bosela, said the family wanted to know whether police officers believed they were stopping the suspected owner of the car or Mr Kaba, who the family said was not the registered owner.

The family is also demanding the IOPC releases police-worn camera footage of the shooting and aerial helicopter footage, as well as a timeline for the investigation.

Mr Bosela said: "Chris's parents are suffering an unimaginable loss.

"The nature in which he died makes it really harsh and so difficult. They're so strong but they're struggling."

He added: "We want the footage to be shown to the family to have a clear understanding of what happened."

News of the officer's suspension came as Mr Kaba's family and friends joined members of the community at a candlelit vigil, in the residential street where he was fatally shot, to mark one week since his death.

"At the vigil, his mother was saying, 'Chris, what were you saying in your last minutes? I wish I had just one minute with you, speak to me please'. It was heart-breaking," Mr Bosela continued.

'Really important decision'

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the decision by Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to suspend the officer was "a really important decision", which he "fully" supported.

The mayor added it was important the IOPC had the time it needed to carry out its investigation properly.

MP for Streatham, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, who is supporting the Kaba family, said: "The Met have finally suspended the officer who fired the shot that killed Chris Kaba.

"It shouldn't have taken public pressure to make this happen.

"Time to honour the family's further demands without delay."

The family has set up a fundraising page and Instagram account with a target of raising £50,000, which they said was to support their campaign for justice.

Correction 20 September 2022: The reference to the IOPC's investigation has been corrected to reflect it is a homicide investigation.

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