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De Menezes family Police 'have
got away with murder'
CHARLOTTE GILL
UK
Daily Mail
Saturday May 12, 2007
The family of Jean Charles de Menezes reacted with fury as it
was announced eleven officers involved in his death will not face
disciplinary action.
They said they were "gravely disappointed" that the Independent
Police Complaints Commission had exonerated them and accused the
Metropolitan police of "getting away with murder".
The IPCC said just one surveillance officer out of the eleven will
be given "management advice" over action he took after
the shooting.
The cleared officers include the two from Scotland Yard's elite
firearms unit CO19 who shot the young Brazilian seven times in the
head at Stockwell tube station after he was mistaken for a suicide
bomber.
The fate of police chief Cressida Dick, who authorised the shoot-to-kill
policy, and three other senior officers is yet to be decided.
Mr de Menezes' family believe criminal charges for manslaughter
through gross negligence can still be brought against the four senior
officers and said yesterday's announcement could prejudice the case.
A spokeswoman said: "We can see no advantage in making this
early announcement, other than to provide relief to the officers
facing potential disciplinary charges.
"Whilst the officers are spared that ongoing anxiety, the
family are given no relief to their own agony, grief and anxiety
caused by their lack of access to all the evidence surrounding the
shooting of their loved one.
"We hope ultimately that all the officers about whom evidence
emerges of wrongdoing that led to this wrongful death are ultimately
rendered fully accountable.
The innocent 27-year-old electrician was killed a day after failed
London bombings on July 21 2005.
His death came in the wake of the 7/7 bombings in London in which
52 people were murdered and nearly 1,000 injured.
Police believed that Mr Menezes was Ethiopian Hussain Osman, one
of the alleged July 21 bombers currently on trial, and followed
him from his flat in South West London to the station.
He was killed as he boarded a train.
A statement agreed by Met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair and two assistant
commissioners issued shortly afterwards backed media reports suggesting
Mr de Menezes had vaulted a ticket barrier and bolted down an escalator
and that he had been wearing a bulky jacket.
But leaked documents later showed that Mr de Menezes had walked
calmly into the station, even pausing to pick up a free newspaper,
and that he had done little to arouse any suspicion before being
shot.
A second IPCC investigation - codenamed Stockwell 2 - looked into
complaints about comments made by Sir Ian and colleagues following
the shooting.
Sir Ian has already been notified that he will face criticism for
the Met's handling of the aftermath of the shooting, as will 20
other senior officers or police officials.
The report is expected to be released next month.
The Metropolitan Police faces prosecution under health and safety
laws for organisational failings connected to the shooting.
The IPCC said no decision about Oxford-educated Miss Dick, who
has been promoted to rank of deputy assistant commissioner since
the shooting, and four senior officers will be made until after
the trial which is due to begin in October.
But Mr de Menezes' family said the IPCC announcement could prejudice
the court case.
Their legal team said it was "highly unusual" for the
disciplinary decision to be made prior to the conclusion of criminal
proceedings.
Patricia da Silva Armani, Mr de Menezes' cousin who lived with
him at the time of his death, said: "It is disgraceful the
IPCC can make such a decision - they are letting the police get
away with murder.
"First officials killed my cousin, then they lied about it
and now the officers are walking away without any punishment.
"It is a travesty of justice and another slap in the face
for our family.
"The police officers lives go on as normal while we exist
in turmoil, fighting to get the answers and justice we deserve."
A Metropolitan Police welcomed the IPCC's recommendation. A spokesman
said: "The shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes is a matter
of very deep regret to the Metropolitan Police Service and our continued
thoughts are with his family.
"We have apologised publicly and in private to them and we
would again like to take this opportunity to say sorry for this
tragedy."
One of the two marksmen who shot Mr de Menezes shot dead a suspected
armed robber in Kent in November 2006, three months after being
given back his gun following the Stockwell shooting.
He was taken off duty again following the Kent incident and returned
to firearms duties last month.
Any officer who injuries or kills someone is automatically taken
off duty and returns to work when they are considered fit and able
to do so.
INFOWARS:
BECAUSE THERE'S A WAR ON FOR YOUR MIND
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