Rashan Charles: Family blast police for not suspending Met officer in restraint death case

The family of a man who died after being restrained by police say they are "disappointed" the officer has not been suspended and investigated.

Rashan Charles's family said he died "within minutes" of being thrown to the ground by a Metropolitan Police officer in Dalston, east London, on July 22.

Their comments come after the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which is investigating the actions taken by police, said it "made representations" to Scotland Yard to suspend the officer.

Mr Charles's family said in a statement: "We have learned that the Metropolitan Police has decided not to suspend the officer who is seen on CCTV grabbing Rashan and throwing him to the ground on the night he died.

"This decision sends completely the wrong message about how seriously the Metropolitan Police take what happened to Rashan and we call on them to reconsider.

"Footage of this incident has been publicly available since 22 July 2017. It shows the unprovoked use of a great deal of force on a young man.

"Rashan died within minutes of that force being used, and we have not been satisfied that he received safe and prompt care from the police. Subsequent statements suggesting that Rashan 'became unwell' or that the officer was in some way 'helping' him are a distortion of what we can all see on-screen."

They added: "We are disappointed and concerned that the simple reality of what is seen in the recording has not been translated into prompt and effective action by the police, CPS and IPCC: to suspend this officer and to investigate him as a suspect in possible criminal offences, as well as for gross misconduct.

"We will continue to press for this."

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the officer has been placed on restricted duties, meaning he is removed from any work that involves direct contact with the public.

He said: "The IPCC served a notice on the officer on Tuesday 12 September.

"In accordance with police regulations, the MPS then consulted the IPCC, who are independently investigating this matter, to seek their views on what restrictions, if any, should be placed on the officer.

"The Met received those representations from the IPCC on Friday 15 September.

"The decision to place the officer on restricted duties has been taken by Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Martin following very careful consideration of the matter.

The Met Police added that a “full rationale” for their decision not to suspend the officer has been provided to the watchdog.

Mr Martin said: "I fully understand the strength of public feeling about the tragic death of Rashan Charles in Hackney.

"All the circumstances surrounding his death are subject to independent scrutiny by the IPCC.

"Throughout this investigation both the officer concerned and the MPS have fully co-operated with the IPCC investigation and will continue to do so.

"I have carefully considered the IPCC's representations and the views of key partners in making my decision.

"The officer concerned will be office-based and have no direct contact with any member of the public whilst the investigation is ongoing.

"As always, the serving of a notice by the IPCC does not mean that misconduct has been proven against an officer."