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POLICE officers under investigation over the death of musician Sean Rigg yesterday looked likely to escape the most serious charges of murder or manslaughter.
Watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is running an inquiry into five officers for alleged misconduct in public office, but as things stand will not question any of them on suspicion of homicide.
A spokeswoman said: “We have not and do not intend to interview any officers on suspicion of homicide offences at this stage.”
Mr Rigg’s family said yesterday they were “bitterly disappointed” as prosecutors separately announced they will take no action against a sergeant and a constable who made inaccurate statements about the case.
The pair were investigated for allegations of perverting the course of justice or perjury over accounts they gave to the IPCC in 2009 and to the inquest into Mr Rigg’s death in 2012.
His sister Marcia Rigg-Samuel said: “I don’t know how they could possibly have come to this decision, but I will keep on fighting.
“My family is surprised and bitterly disappointed by today’s decision by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). We categorically do not accept this decision, which only serves as further upset and anguish.
“We regard the evidence as compelling, and a jury should have been given the opportunity to make a decision on the evidence. The public’s faith in the British justice system has been tarnished by this decision.”
The officers had maintained that sergeant Paul White had checked on schizophrenic Mr Rigg while he was being held in a police van before he died in 2008, but CCTV footage later showed that this was not the case.
CPS deputy head of special crime Malcolm McHaffie said: “We appreciate that this decision may be disappointing to the family of Mr Rigg, but we have written to them to explain our position in detail and have offered to meet with them if they so wish.”
An inquest jury found police used “unsuitable” force after arresting Mr Rigg for attacking passers-by and officers in south London six years ago.
Officers restrained Mr Rigg for eight minutes in the “prone position” while he was being arrested on August 21 2008, a length of time that jurors concluded “more than minimally” contributed to his death.
Mr Rigg later died from a heart attack.
