16 August 2005
For Immediate Release

IPCC Statement: Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes

We do not know from which organisation or from whom the documents shown on television this evening have come.

The IPCC investigation into the shooting of Mr de Menezes is continuing. Our priority is to disclose any findings direct to the family, who will clearly be distressed that they have received information on television concerning his death.

The IPCC made it clear that we would not speculate or release partial information about the investigation, and that others should not do so. That remains the case.

The IPCC operates a very high degree of security for all such investigations which we regularly review.

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For Further Information Contact:

Richard Offer, IPCC Head of Media on 020 7166 3214, Sarah Clifford, IPCC Director of Communications on 020 7166 3068 or the out-of-hours duty press officer on 07717 851157.

Notes for editors

• The IPCC is the body with overall responsibility for the police complaints system in England and Wales. It has the task of increasing public confidence in the system and aims to make complaints investigations more open, timely, proportionate and fair. The 17 IPCC Commissioners guarantee the independence of the IPCC and by law can never have served as police officers.
• Since April 1 2005 the IPCC has used its powers to begin 16 independent and 56 managed investigations into the most serious complaints against the police. It has also set new standards for police forces to improve the way the public's complaints are handled. Since 1 April 2004 it has upheld 198 appeals (out of 622 valid appeals) by the public about the way their complaint was dealt with by the local force.
• The IPCC is committed to getting closer to the communities it serves.  It has regional offices in Cardiff, Leicestershire, London and Manchester plus a sub office in Wakefield.  Commissioners are regionally based and supported by 84 independent investigators, as well as case workers and specialist support staff.
• The IPCC web site is constantly updated at www.ipcc.gov.uk or members of the public can contact the IPCC on 08453 002 002.