INDECOM probes police shooting of brothers in Manchester
Published:Tuesday | June 18, 2024 | 12:09 AM
Assistant Commissioner of the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) Hamish Campbell says the police personnel involved in the fatal shooting of Mikhail Simpson, a 14-year-old high school student, and the injury of his brother on Sunday will be summoned by the oversight body to provide statements and be interviewed in relation to the incident.
No initial report was provided by the two concerned officers, INDECOM said.
INDECOM investigators were advised that no body-worn cameras were issued or used during the incident.
Campbell told The Gleaner yesterday that the director of complaints for the central region, Dave Lewin, has been in dialogue with the family.
“INDECOM has been advised of the high emotions resulting from this incident, and the team will be providing guidance on the investigative process, with a view of allaying any concerns that citizens may have,” the oversight body said in a statement yesterday.
Campbell told The Gleaner yesterday that members of the security forces were not fitted with body-worn cameras in any of the 66 fatal shooting incidents that occurred since the start of the year.
He said in respect of three non-fatal shootings the police were wearing body-worn cameras but they were not turned on.
Campbell said INDECOM has spoken to the police commissioner about the issue and he has committed to address the matter.
He, however, pointed out that there were few instances in which body-worn cameras were fitted on police personnel where allegations of assault were made against the lawmen.
“To be fair, the commissioner of police does want them to be rolled out and more involved but there is a long way to go before it becomes normalised.”
Campbell said INDECOM has argued that, where the police operation is planned, the officers should be wearing body-worn cameras.
The incident in Williamsfield, Manchester, on Sunday was not a planned operation, Campbell noted.
The assistant commissioner of the police oversight body reported that INDECOM has received more footage from public CCTV on fatal shooting incidents than from body-worn cameras.
The police have reported that officers on duty engaged a vehicle which disobeyed orders to stop. One officer reportedly fired several rounds in the direction of the fleeing vehicle. The driver of the vehicle received injuries to his face, while the passenger in the vehicle succumbed to injuries sustained. No firearm was reported as recovered from the incident scene.