The Powell family have held a candlelight vigil in memory of Mikey Powell who was killed in police custody in 2003. The vigil took place outside the Thornhill Road police station, Birmingham, West Midlands.

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Mikey’s sister, Sieta Lambrias said; “On Sunday 11^th September, a day many people were remembering there loved ones because of the 911 attacks in America, we were also remembering Mikey. This years candlelit vigil for Mikey’s 8th memorial was attended by many family and friends.

IPCC to take over investigation into complaint against van officers

The IPPC are to independently investigate a complaint by Claris Powell, made following the jury’s verdict at the Inquest into the death of her son, Mikey, in a police van on the way to a police station.

The IPCC made this decision on 27 May 2011, after Claris Powell threatened to judicially review their decision to allow West Midlands Police themselves to investigate the complaint against their own officers.

The IPCC have upheld the appeal of Mikey’s mother, Claris Powell, against the refusal of the West Midlands Police Authority to record her complaint against the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police. On 16 June 2011 the IPCC directed the Police Authority to record the complaint. The Police Authority should now investigate it.

It is rare for a complaint about a Chief Constable to be recorded and a real victory for Claris Powell.