5 September 2023

Chris Kaba, 24, was fatally shot by a firearms officer from the Metropolitan Police one year ago on 5 September 2022 in Streatham, London. The family are still waiting for answers and a charging decision from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

 

This Saturday (9 September) the family campaign is holding a peaceful protest to demand answers and justice for Chris Kaba, from 12pm starting at New Scotland Yard.

 

Five months ago, in March, the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), announced the conclusion of its homicide investigation and confirmed that it had passed the file to the CPS to consider potential criminal charges.

 

The IOPC homicide investigation considered the actions of the police, and in particular the actions of the shooter, known only as NX121.

 

Since 1990 there have been 1,869 deaths recorded by INQUEST in or following police custody or contact in England and Wales. In that time there has only been one successful prosecution of a police officer for manslaughter in 2021, and none for murder.

 

In a joint statement, the family of Chris Kaba said: “We demand a charging decision without further delay. Throughout the last year there has been a lack of urgency. 

 

Our family, alongside the community who have supported us over the past year, have been consistent in our call for accountability.

 

We believe that it was possible within six months of Chris being killed both for the IOPC to complete a well-resourced and effective criminal investigation and for the CPS to provide us with a charging decision.

 

It is almost unbelievable that a year on we still wait for answers. It is agonising not knowing the CPS decision.

 

It is unacceptable that we have been failed by the CPS, which has not completed its task urgently or in a timely fashion.

 

We very much hope that the CPS decide in days (not weeks or months) from now in favour of a prosecution and that the truth will emerge, without further delay, through criminal proceedings.

Our family and community cannot continue waiting for answers.

Chris was so loved by our family and all his friends. He had a bright future ahead of him before his life was cut short. We must see justice for Chris.”

Deborah Coles, Director of INQUEST, said: “Chris Kaba’s death has generated significant public concern at a national and international level about how the state and its agents are held to account when they use lethal force.

 

It is simply unacceptable we do not yet have a charging decision. This exacerbates the family’s trauma and grieving process.

 

Delay, denial and defensiveness is institutionalised within the investigation system and shows how police officers are treated differently than civilians.

 

The fundamental question remains as to how and why another unarmed Black man can be shot dead on the streets by police?”

Daniel Machover of Hickman & Rose, who represent the family, said: “I am appalled that, after the IOPC took almost seven months to complete its investigation, the CPS has failed to complete its task within a further five months. 

 

In what other comparable suspected homicide case involving firearms discharged by a civilian does the CPS consider it appropriate to take so long to make a charging decision?

 

CPS decision making when police officers are suspects is too slow and cumbersome. It is also worth pointing out that, just as many of the IOPC’s most serious criminal investigations of police officers remain under-resourced and far too slow.

 

The public interest demands that the CPS makes faster charging decisions in all cases involving police suspects, and that it notifies the family of this particular charging decision without further delay.”

 

ENDS 

 

NOTES TO EDITORS
For more information contact Lucy McKay on [email protected] or 020 7263 1111

 

Follow the Justice for Chris Kaba campaign here.

 

Chris’s family are represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Daniel Machover and Ellie Cornish of Hickman & Rose solicitors, and Matthew Ryder and Ifeanyi Odogwu of Matrix Chambers. The INQUEST caseworker is Head of Casework, Anita Sharma.

 

An INQUEST report published earlier this year found that families of Black people who have died following police contact in recent years were unable to get accountability for racism from a system that is not “fit for purpose”.

 

PREVIOUS MEDIA RELEASES

·       CHRIS KABA: FAMILY RESPOND TO POLICE WATCHDOG DECISION TO REFER HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION TO CROWN PROSECUTIONS SERVICE 30 March 2023

·       CHRIS KABA: FAMILY CALL FOR ACTION SIX MONTHS ON FROM SHOOTING 3 March 2023

·       CHRIS KABA: FAMILY CALL FOR ANSWERS AS INQUEST OPENS 4 October 2022 

·       CHRIS KABA: LATEST FAMILY STATEMENT 22 September 2022 

·       STREATHAM POLICE SHOOTING: FAMILY OF CHRIS KABA DEMAND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION 7 September 2022 

 

CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS OF POLICE OFFICERS INVOLVED IN DEATHS

Since 1990 there have been 1,869 deaths recorded by INQUEST in or following police custody or contact. In that time there has only been one successful prosecution of an officer for manslaughter in 2021, and none for murder.

 

Dalian Atkinson, 48, died on 15 August 2016, following use of force by officers of West Mercia police. PC Benjamin Monk was found guilty of the manslaughter, reduced from murder, and was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2021. More information.

There have been ten murder and manslaughter charges following deaths, which did not result in successful prosecutions.

Both successful and unsuccessful prosecutions have also been brought following deaths in police contact under Health and Safety legislation.

Other criminal charges against officers, such as perjury and misconduct in public office, have been brought following deaths in custody, but most have led to acquittals or not guilty verdicts. 

 

FATAL POLICE SHOOTINGS

Since 1990, a total of 80 people have been fatally shot by the police in England