The unarmed man was shot by police in Streatham Hill, south London, last Monday night. Kamba was driving a vehicle that was stopped after an automatic license plate recognition camera was activated, which showed the car had been linked to a firearms violation in the previous days. A chase ensued and he was killed by a single shot from the driver’s side of the car’s windshield. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has since launched a homicide investigation into Kamba’s death. The suspension came after two London MPs joined calls from campaigners and Kamba’s family for the officer to be disciplined. Bell Ribeiro-Addy, the MP for Streatham, and Harriet Harman, the MP for Camberwell and Peckham, signed a letter saying it was “incomprehensible” that the officer had not been disciplined. Hundreds demonstrated in parliament on Saturday demanding justice for Kamba, who was a rapper from south London. Deborah Coles, chief executive at the charity Inquest, which is working with Kaba’s family and legal team, called on the new Met commissioner to act quickly, saying: “One of Mark Rowley’s first priorities should be to ensure that the officer who shot Chris O’Kaba has no contact with the public until the criminal investigation into his conduct is complete.” He added: “The new commissioner should be in no doubt about the strength he feels over this shooting. This is not an isolated case, but a shamefully long pattern of deaths of black men who died after the use of lethal force. There is an endemic culture of delay, denial and defensiveness following state-related deaths.” London Mayor Sadiq Khan welcomed Monday’s decision. “My thoughts remain with Chris Kaba’s loved ones at this extremely difficult time as the IOPC continues its independent homicide investigation,” he said. Assistant Commissioner of Police Amanda Pearson said on Monday: “Following the death of Chris Kaba, the firearms officer involved has been taken off duty. “This decision was taken after careful consideration of a number of factors, including the significant impact on public confidence, and in light of the announcement of the homicide investigation by the Independent Office for Policing Conduct. “Our thoughts and condolences remain with the family and friends of Mr. Kaba. We understand the concerns of communities, particularly black communities, and thank those who are working closely with our local officers.” The Met Police have asked anyone with information that could be useful in finding out what happened to contact the IOPC directly, in order to maintain the independence of their investigation. They stressed that “the decision to suspend the officer does not determine the outcome of the IOPC investigation. Firearms officers serve to protect the public and know that on the rare occasion that they do discharge their weapons, they will face intense scrutiny. I know this development will have a significant impact on the officer and colleagues.”
