The firearms officer who fired the only fatal shot at father-to-be Chris Campa has been removed from his frontline duties. The unarmed 24-year-old rapper was shot by police in Streatham Hill, south London, last Monday night. Mr Kaba was driving an Audi which was flagged and cornered by police during a pursuit last Monday. 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 his death and the officer involved in the shooting has been suspended, it was reported on Monday. Chris Kaba’s parents, Prosper Kaba and Helen Nkama / BBC
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Assistant Commissioner Amanda Pearson said: “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. “We are actively supporting the IOPC investigation and would ask anyone with information that could be useful in establishing what happened to contact the IOPC directly to maintain the independence of their investigation. “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.” Leaflet photo taken with permission from the @LeftUnityParty Twitter feed of protesters marching in London’s Nova Scotia Yard in a protest over the death of rapper Chris Campa (Left Unity/PA) / PA Medium The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I welcome this decision and am in regular contact with the IOPC and the new Commissioner. “My thoughts remain with Chris Kaba’s loved ones at this extremely difficult time as the IOPC continues its independent homicide investigation.” It came after two south London MPs joined calls from campaigners and Mr Kaba’s family for the officer to be disciplined. Bell Ribeiro-Addy, MP for Streatham Bell, and Harriet Harman, MP for Camberwell and Peckham, both signed a letter calling it “incomprehensible” that the officer had not been disciplined. Hundreds demonstrated in Parliament on Saturday demanding justice for Mr Kaba. Members of his family joined supporters carrying placards proclaiming “justice for Chris Kamba,” “abolish the Met” and “no justice, no peace.” Demonstrators march on London’s Nova Scotia Yard in a protest over the death of Chris Campa / PA Medium Protesters gathered in Parliament Square from midday before marching along Whitehall and then to Scotland Yard. His family has called for the officer who shot him to face probation. In a statement released before the demonstration, Mr Kaba’s family asked the police to complete their investigation within “weeks or months, not years”. He added that restoring public confidence in the justice system required the IOPC to make decisions on “a timetable that does justice to all concerned”. Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North, told protesters: “I don’t know how I would feel if it was my son who was killed in cold blood. Chris is not the only black man murdered by the Metropolitan Police.” The Metropolitan Police have been contacted for comment.
