Tandridge Buzz

Hundreds of protesters marched on Parliament and New Scotland Yard demanding justice for Warlingham-based reggae star Smiley Culture, who died of a single stab wound last month.

The Reggae artist, real name David Emmanuel, had a hit with his song Police Officer — a song about police harassment — in the 80’s.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is currently investigating Emmanuel’s death.
Officers from the Met Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Command came to his Warlingham house on Hillbury Road with a search warrant on Tuesday 15 March at 7am.

He was on bail for conspiracy to supply cocaine at the time when he allegedly stabbed himself in the heart when he went to make a cup of tea in the kitchen.

The organisers of the march said it was also to honour others who had died in police custody.

Warlingham-based reggae star Smiley Culture died of a single stab wound to the heart, a post-mortem has revealed.

The Reggae artist, real name David Emmanuel, had a hit with his song Police Officer — a song about police harassment — in the 80’s.

Officers from the Met Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Command came to his Warlingham house on Hillbury Road with a search warrant on Tuesday 15 March at 7am.

Later the same morning, at approximately 8.30am, an ambulance was called to attend the address. An air ambulance crew arrived but Emmanuel died at the scene.

Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigators went to the scene and oversaw Surrey Police’s Scenes of Crimes Officers gathering forensic evidence.

The IPCC also commissioned an independent scientific expert to examine elements of the scene. An IPCC investigator was present throughout the post mortem.

Independent investigators have examined the first accounts given by the MPS police officers who were at the address when the incident occurred.

Forensic experts are examining items which have been recovered from the address including the knife.

“I send my condolences to Mr Emmanuel’s family and friends,” said IPCC commissioner Mike Franklin.

“I understand their concerns and am under no illusion about the seriousness of this case, its impact on them and the wider community.

“This investigation is examining the basis on which MPS officers went to Surrey to carry out the search warrant on Tuesday, how that was planned, how it was communicated with Surrey Police and what happened while officers were at the address.

“It is also looking at the response of the officers present to examine what was done in terms of first aid.

“The independent investigation will be studying forensic evidence and all other possible lines of enquiry to try to establish a factual account of exactly what happened.

“Many of the questions that I know Mr Emmanuel’s family and friends have are exactly what we will be examining as part of this investigation. I want to reassure people that we will thoroughly scrutinise this incident and will update all those involved as we progress. I will also make the findings of our investigation public at the earliest opportunity. Until then, I would ask that speculation is avoided.”

The IPCC is in the process of setting up a Community Reference Group which will be kept updated with progress of the investigation and will have the opportunity to feedback any questions or concerns to the IPCC.

Reggae superstar Smiley Culture died today, allegedly from self-inflicted stab wounds, following a police raid on his Warlingham house.

The Reggae artist, real name David Emmanuel, had a hit with his song Police Officer — a song about police harassment — in the 80’s.

Earlier today, at around 7am, officers from the Met Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Command came to his Warlingham house on Hillbury Road with an arrest warrant.

While they were at the address, an incident occurred during which the 48-year-old man died.

Officers from Surrey Police attended the incident and it has been formally referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

“While officers were at the house, it is believed a man suffered a stab wound and died at the scene,” IPCC Commissioner for the south east Mike Franklin said.

“We will be looking into the planning of the arrest, the way in which it was carried out and the actions of all the officers who were present at the time of the incident.”