Exclusive:
Marcus Meade’s mother has hit out at West Mercia Police’s decision to allow the firearms officers back to duty just weeks after they shot the dad in his home in Redditch, Worcestershire
Grieving parents are furious as two firearms officers who shot dead their son in his own home have returned to duty – without a suspension.
Marcus Meade, 39, was Tasered and shot after a stand-off with police at the address on Christmas Eve. He had been experiencing mental health challenges but, despite being alone in the property in Redditch, Worcestershire, at the time, the dad was gunned by the firearms officers.
But the Mirror has found these officers have not been suspended and, less than two months after the tragedy, have returned to duties. Marcus’ family is mortified at the decision, which they say condones the actions.
Deborah Freckleton, Marcus’s mother, said: “So it was alright to kill my son? It is the police why we are having to bury Marcus.” The man’s father, Anthony Meade, said: “The officers have had time to reflect and receive support, and we are left with planning a funeral.”
Deborah and Anthony, who discovered their son had died after reading reports on social media and hearing the awful news on the grapevine, have begged for answers in the weeks since the passing.
But Richard Cooper, temporary chief constable for West Mercia Police, informed the family and its representative of his decision in correspondence this week. In it, he wrote: “I can confirm that the officers involved have not been suspended and, after a period of reflection, have returned to duty.”
Bishop Dr Desmond Jaddoo MBE, a family friend, told the media this call he felt the officers involved should have been suspended, particularly as West Mercia Police has reported the incident to the watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The community leader said: “To say the family are disappointed is an understatement. Clearly, to ensure an orderly transparent and fully cooperative process with the IOPC, it would have been prudent to remove the officer who fired the fatal shot from duty, as questions are being raised about the whole incident. What message does this really send to the community?”
Dad-of-two Marcus, originally from Ladywood, Birmingham, was hailed a hero after he had apprehended a teenage girl’s killer. The family man, along with other have-a-go heroes, was recognised for his bravery with an award in 2003 after he swooped to snag Inderjit Kainth. Kainth had stabbed Rosie Ross, 16, in a random attack in Birmingham city centre.
Speaking previously, Deborah vowed to continue to celebrate Marcus’ legacy and fight for justice. She said: “I want to know what happened to my son, I want to know why they thought it was ok to do what they did to my son. I want answers and I want justice for my son.”
Speaking to the Mirror about T/Chief Cons Cooper’s decision, West Mercia Police said it had adhered to “regulations and policies” in reaching a call. The force added it intends to “ensure Marcus’ family are given the answers that they rightly want and deserve.”
A spokesperson said: “The officers involved have not been suspended and, after a period of reflection, have returned to duty. In a gravely serious incident such as this, the suspension of police officers is a significant decision. It is a process guided by regulations and policies, which we have adhered to. The decision is regularly reviewed, as the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation progresses, to ensure it remains appropriate and proportionate.
“We continue to cooperate fully and unreservedly with the independent investigation being carried out by the IOPC to ensure that Marcus’ family are given the answers that they rightly want and deserve.”