Anger as officers back on duty after man shot dead

The family of a father-of-two who was killed by armed police on Christmas Eve have criticised a decision not to suspend the officers involved.

Marcus Meade, 39, died at a property on Fownhope Close, Redditch, following a five-hour standoff with West Mercia Police on Christmas Eve.

Speaking for his family, Bishop Desmond Jaddoo asked what message it sent to the community, adding: "To say the family are disappointed is an understatement."

A police spokeswoman said the officers had returned to duty and the force was cooperating with a police watchdog investigation.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) began the investigation after Mr Meade was hit in the chest by a single bullet on 24 December, when officers were called to the address to reports of a concern for welfare.

The family have demanded answers about what happened to Mr Meade, who was reportedly alone inside the property and suffering a mental health episode when he was shot.

The IOPC previously said officers had tried to negotiate with Mr Meade, who had a knife, on the night he died.

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

Dr Jaddoo said: "Clearly, to ensure an orderly, transparent and fully cooperative process with the IOPC, it would have been prudent to remove the officer who fired the fatal shot from duty, as questions are being raised about the whole incident."

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

His father, Anthony Meade, said the officers had been given time to reflect and had received support but said: "We are left with planning a funeral."

The family said a funeral for Mr Meade, who was originally from Ladywood, Birmingham, was to take place on 27 February in the Lozells area of the city.

The police spokeswoman said: "The officers involved have not been suspended and, after a period of reflection, have returned to duty."

She said: "In a gravely serious incident such as this, the suspension of police officers is a significant decision.

"It is a process guided by regulations and policies, which we have adhered to."

The decision would be regularly reviewed as the IOPC investigation progressed, she added, to ensure it remained appropriate.

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