The family of former Town striker Dalian Atkinson has received a formal apology from West Mercia Police regarding his death.

Atkinson, who also played for Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday among others, died aged 48 in the early hours of Monday 15th August 2016 having been repeatedly Tasered and kicked by PC Benjamin Monk in an incident outside his father Ernest’s house in the Trench area of Telford.

In June, Monk was jailed for eight years by Judge Melbourne Inman QC at Birmingham Crown Court.

The 43-year-old, who had been with the West Mercia force since 2002, became the first British police officer to be convicted of manslaughter during the course of his duties in more than three decades.

In the letter to the family, West Mercia’s new Chief Constable Pippa Mills, who took over the running of the force in September, wrote that under the European Convention on Human Rights it was an “obligation” for her to “acknowledge and accept” the breach of Atkinson's human rights on behalf of the force.

She said: “A police uniform does not grant officers immunity to behave unlawfully or to abuse their powers.

“Ben Monk’s conduct was in direct contradiction to the standards and behaviour of the policing service, and understandably undermined public confidence.”

She continued: “I am deeply sorry for the devastating impact the actions of a West Mercia officer has caused you and I extend my deepest condolences to you all, and Dalian’s wider family and friends.”

The Chief Constable added: “I cannot imagine the immense pain you have felt and how the significant delays with the trial have also added to your burden of grief. You have demonstrated great strength and dignity throughout the past five years.”

In a statement, Kate Maynard of Hickman and Rose solicitors, the family’s lawyers, said the official apology was “welcomed and overdue”.

She added: “The chief constable’s acknowledgement that a police uniform does not grant immunity is especially pertinent in a year that has seen other terrible examples of deadly police violence.

“With the first conviction of a serving police officer on a manslaughter charge connected with his policing duties in over 30 years, it is hoped that this will serve as a deterrent, and also embolden those who seek police accountability.”

Photo: ITFC

Ipswichbusiness added 10:29 - Dec 27 There is never any justification for kicking someone in the head whilst they are lying on the ground.
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Bazza8564 added 11:13 - Dec 27 I come from a family with Police service in two generations, I am very proud of it. But when I read the reports about Dalian's mistreatment in the summer when they finally were laid out during the trial it filled me with disgust. Disgust that some Police officers feel empowered to behave in a way that brings such disgrace on the wider force, and Disgust that in this day and age there is still a lingering double standard in society that allows some sections to treat people of colour with such appalling disregard. When we take the knee at Portman Road, I am touched that many people choose to applaud it, when Sunderland came down last week sadly there were some boos, as there were at Wigan the week before. It shows that even now, after all we have seen, there is ignorance in society. Appalling

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midastouch added 11:24 - Dec 27 I can't imagine the suffering for his family over this. My heart goes out to them. I loved watching Dalian play for Ipswich. He scored some absolute belters! Goals I will never ever forget! Man could he hit a ball with some venom! And some of the incredible goals he scored for Villa in the Premier League will certainly never be forgotten! He made a lot of people very happy and excited during his playing days and nobody can ever take that away from him or his family. If your talent can literally make thousands of people jump for joy during your life then your life will have helped spread much more joy and happiness than most can ever dream of. RIP Dalian and love to his family. X

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ArnieM added 14:14 - Dec 27 Yet another “ apology “ by the police for a black persons death.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:07 - Dec 27 Bazza8564 : Perhaps you can answer this, as I genuinely don't understand. Why do some people boo when taking the knee is performed? I notice that not all black players take the knee (Toto, for example - I believe he doesn't). Of course, there are some of those not taking part who are just ignorant racists, but surely they don't all fall into this category. What is the point they are making?

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istanblue added 16:11 - Dec 27 ACAB #JusticeForDalian
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therein61 added 17:30 - Dec 27 My heartfelt feelings go to Dalian's family who have certainly been put through the grinder as a result of what can only be described as police brutality i can only hope(after what i believe to be a lenient sentence, what if a member of the public committed the dreadful beating causing death bet it would have been a damn sight longer!!) the police force get their house in order regarding arresting black people( we appear to be following the same attitude as the force over the pond which is very very worrying).

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bobble added 20:10 - Dec 27 and smiley culture ???
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Nobbysnuts added 20:32 - Dec 27 Steve..just ask toto what it means.... it means absolutely nothing. I don't kneel for no one.
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Nobbysnuts added 20:54 - Dec 27 https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url= https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/19804321.200-years-prison-colchester-clacton-dr these are the sort of people you are kneeling for....
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Michael101 added 21:17 - Dec 27 Why did it take so long to find pc monk guilty??.where the police trying to cover up everything.
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Ipswichbusiness added 10:14 - Dec 28 Michael101; I am a retired solicitor. The Criminal Justice System in England was in a poor state and then along came COVID and it collapsed. Those who attribute this matter to racism should be aware that in all the news reports which I have read there has been no suggestion that the matter was racially aggravated. If it was then I would have expected a longer sentence to reflect that. What I find inexplicable about this is that apparently PC Monk had cautions for theft from employer and drunkenness before he joined the Police. Granted he failed to disclose them when he applied, but who holds the records? Answer; the Police. Surely a simple check would have revealed the incidents and his application to join the Force refused.

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Ipswichbusiness added 11:28 - Dec 28 Anyone who is interested can Google R v Benjamin Monk which should bring up the sentencing remarks of HHJ Inman QC. There is no mention of racism in them.
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blues1 added 11:36 - Dec 28 Michael101. All cases take ages to get into court. This case is no different than any other.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:08 - Dec 28 Nobbysnuts; This is probably not the best forum for this discussion, but I don't do Facebook or any other social media, so for me this is the only place to ask the question. You seem to suggest that kneeling is some form submission, but as I understand it, it is done in solidarity and as a form of defiance. Unfortunately, the link you posted didn't work, so I was none the wiser. I'm not pro- or anti- kneeling per se; I just still don't understand the arguments for and against, particularly those against.

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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 16:27 - Dec 28 Istanblue you are a complete idiot for that comment and thd fact Bluearmy liked it only clarifies it !
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Cadiar added 16:30 - Dec 28 Nobby'SNuts, who are these sort of people? Please enlighten us as the link is unobtainable or don't you have the courage? Toto did give an explanation but I've forgotten, he is a very religious man however. Re Monk, he tapered Dalian for 35 seconds, the maximum should be 7.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 16:36 - Dec 28 Ipswichbusiness good post , well said. Bazza your post starts well but huge shame u then felt the need to bring colour into it. As far as I'm.aware ( please correct if wrong ) there is nothing to suggest race was an issue.
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Ipswichbusiness added 10:15 - Dec 29 A diary; it is correct that reasonable use of a taser is between 5 and 10 seconds. Mr Monk's third burst was 33 seconds. However, evidence was presented to the Court that that may well have been accidental. What could not have been accidental was kicking him n the head.
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