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The firearms officer who fired the only fatal shot at father-to-be Chris Kaba has been suspended from frontline duties.
The unarmed 24-year-old rapper was shot dead by police in Streatham Hill, south London, last Monday night.
Kaba was driving an Audi that was wrapped and cornered by police during a chase last Monday. He was killed with a single shot through the driver’s side of the car’s windshield.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has since opened a homicide investigation into his death and the officer involved in the shooting has been suspended, it was reported on Monday.
Chris Kaba’s parents, Prosper Kaba and Helen Nkama
/ BBC
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Assistant Commissioner Amanda Pearson said: “Following the death of Chris Kaba, the firearms officer involved has been suspended from duty.
“This decision has been taken after careful consideration of a number of factors, including the significant impact on public confidence, and in light of the Independent Police Conduct Office announcing a homicide investigation.
“Our thoughts and sympathies continue to be with Mr. Kaba’s family and friends. We understand how concerned communities are, especially black communities, and we thank those who are working closely with our local officers.
“We are actively supporting the IOPC investigation and would ask those with information that could be useful in establishing what happened to contact the IOPC directly to maintain the independence of their investigation.
“The decision to suspend the officer does not determine the outcome of the FIPOL investigation. Firearms officers serve to protect the public and know that on the rare occasion they discharge their weapons, they will face intense scrutiny . I know this development will have a significant impact on the officer and colleagues.”
Photo courtesy of the @LeftUnityParty Twitter feed of protesters marching in New Scotland Yard, London, in a protest over the death of rapper Chris Kaba (Left Unity/PA)
/ Average PA
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I welcome this decision and am in regular contact with the IFRIC and the new commissioner.
“My thoughts remain with Chris Kaba’s loved ones at this intensely difficult time as the IOPC continues its independent homicide investigation.”
It came after two south London MPs joined calls from campaigners and Mr Kaba’s family to call for the officer to be disciplined.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy, MP for Streatham Bell, and Harriet Harman, MP for Camberwell and Peckham, have signed a letter saying it was “incomprehensible” that the officer was not disciplined.
Hundreds of people marched to Parliament on Saturday demanding justice for Mr. Kaba.
His family members were joined by supporters holding placards proclaiming “justice for Chris Kaba”, “abolish the Met” and “no justice, no peace”.
Demonstrators march in New Scotland Yard, London, in a protest over the death of Chris Kaba
/ Average PA
Protesters gathered in Parliament Square from midday before marching through Whitehall and then to Scotland Yard.
His family has asked that the officer who shot him face suspension. In a statement released before the demonstration, the family of Mr. Kaba asked the police watchdog to conclude its investigation in “weeks or months, not years”.
He added that restoring public confidence in the justice system required the IOPC Fund to make decisions on “a timescale that does justice to all concerned”.
Hackney North MP Diane Abbott told protesters: “I don’t know how I would feel if it was my own son murdered in cold blood. Chris is not the only black man shot down by the Metropolitan Police.”
The Metropolitan Police have been contacted for comment.