IPCC concludes investigation of Smiley Culture death

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) concluded the investigation in to the death of David Emmanuel, also known as Smiley Culture. IPCC Commissioner Mike Franklin decided not to formally refer the report to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) as the investigation found no evidence of a criminal offence committed. Emmanuel died on 15 March 2011 of a single stab wound through the heart at his home on Hillbury Road in Warlingham, Surrey. Four Metropolitan Police Officers were at the house at the time, carrying out a search of the property. The IPCC investigated the actions of the individual officers, as well as the planning of the operation as a whole.  Consideration was also given to whether the actions of individual officers met the threshold for misconduct under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2008. The investigation found there were no individual failings which, for the purposes of the Regulations, amounted to misconduct. However, the IPCC investigation did raise concerns about several areas of the operation, which included operational planning and risk management. A separate report detailing the learning identified by the IPCC investigation was sent to the MPS to consider its recommendations and respond to the IPCC. The investigation report into Mr Emmanuel’s death was also sent to HM Coroner to begin preparation for the inquest. The Coroner already stated the inquest in to Mr Emmanuel's death will be held with a jury and will not take place before the conclusion of the criminal trials to which Mr Emmanuel was allegedly linked. The trials are scheduled for early 2012. The IPCC intends to publish its investigation report when all proceedings are concluded. Mike Franklin said: "This has been a difficult process for all those involved in this case and I would like to thank everyone for their patience. Our investigation is now complete and all the evidence we have gathered has been passed to HM Coroner who is liaising directly with Mr Emmanuel’s family. I hope that arrangements can now begin for the inquest - which will be the opportunity for all the evidence to be heard, and tested, in public.