“This has been a complex and lengthy investigation involving examination of over 900 documents, interviews with witnesses, a number of medical expert opinions, CCTV trawls and forensic analysis. We are now satisfied we have gathered all the available evidence to enable the Crown Prosecution Service to determine whether or not charges should follow,” IPCC Deputy Chair Sarah Green said, as quoted in the statement.
According to the IPCC, all five officers may have to answer for gross misconduct “for the manner they carried out their duties and responsibilities,” while gross misconduct “for honesty and integrity” should be investigated in the case of four of the officers and one officer should face charges for misconduct over use of force.
In May 2013, Cole, who was 20 at the time, had his neck broken and was left in a vegetative state after his forceful arrest outside a Bedford night club.