West Mercia Police officer charged with the murder of Dalian Atkinson

A West Mercia Police officer is being charged by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) with murder and another with assault causing actual bodily harm in relation to the death of Dalian Atkinson in Telford, following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Mr Atkinson died in hospital in August 2016 after an incident in Meadow Close, Trench which police officers attended.

At the conclusion of our investigation in October last year which looked at police interaction with Mr Atkinson during the incident on 15 August 2016, the IOPC referred a file of evidence to the CPS, which has now decided to charge the following officers**:

• Police Constable A with the murder of Dalian Atkinson on 15 August 2016 in Telford, Shropshire. He has also been charged with unlawful act manslaughter as an alternative offence.
• Police Constable B with assault causing actual bodily harm.

The officers are appearing at Birmingham Crown Court today (Thursday).

IOPC Regional Director, Derrick Campbell, said: “We appreciate the patience shown by all concerned during our thorough and independent investigation and the period it was with the CPS for consideration. We have kept Mr Atkinson’s family, West Mercia Police, and the Coroner informed throughout.”

The actions of a third officer subject to the investigation were not referred to the CPS.

The IOPC investigates the most serious and sensitive incidents and allegations involving the police. Police forces have a statutory duty to refer all incidents involving a death or serious injury to us and one of our most important functions is to investigate deaths during or following contact with the police. All our work is carried out independently of the police, government, complainants and interest groups.

Our mission is to improve public confidence in policing by ensuring the police are accountable for their actions and lessons are learnt.

**Following a hearing before a judge on 13 November an anonymity order concerning the two officers was lifted. Police Constable Benjamin Monk (Officer A) has been charged with murder and Police Constable Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith (Officer B) has been charged with assault causing actual bodily harm .