Post by leanne on Mar 16, 2011 21:24:48 GMT
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12751227
British reggae star Smiley Culture has died during a police raid in Surrey.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has said it will investigate the death of the musician, whose real name is David Emmanuel.
The IPCC said he died of a suspected stab wound when Met Police officers carried out an arrest warrant at a house in Warlingham at 0700 GMT.
Mr Emmanuel, 48, had been due to face trial next week accused of conspiracy to supply cocaine.
His biggest hit was 1984's Police Officer.
The record reached number 12 in the UK charts. His other singles included Cockney Translation and Schooltime Chronicle.
Rise of reggae
A Met spokesman said officers from the Serious and Organised Crime Command were carrying out the raid in Hillbury Road.
He said: "While they were at the address, an incident occurred during which a 48-year-old man died.
"Officers from Surrey Police attended the incident and it has been formally referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission."
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."
Smiley Culture made a cameo appearance in the David Bowie film Absolute Beginners in 1986, but failed to achieve mainstream exposure.
He recently featured in the BBC4 documentary Reggae Britannia which explored the rise of UK reggae.
Tune
British reggae star Smiley Culture has died during a police raid in Surrey.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has said it will investigate the death of the musician, whose real name is David Emmanuel.
The IPCC said he died of a suspected stab wound when Met Police officers carried out an arrest warrant at a house in Warlingham at 0700 GMT.
Mr Emmanuel, 48, had been due to face trial next week accused of conspiracy to supply cocaine.
His biggest hit was 1984's Police Officer.
The record reached number 12 in the UK charts. His other singles included Cockney Translation and Schooltime Chronicle.
Rise of reggae
A Met spokesman said officers from the Serious and Organised Crime Command were carrying out the raid in Hillbury Road.
He said: "While they were at the address, an incident occurred during which a 48-year-old man died.
"Officers from Surrey Police attended the incident and it has been formally referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission."
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."
Smiley Culture made a cameo appearance in the David Bowie film Absolute Beginners in 1986, but failed to achieve mainstream exposure.
He recently featured in the BBC4 documentary Reggae Britannia which explored the rise of UK reggae.
Tune
