Police formally apologise over Dalian Atkinson death after officer’s conviction

Police chief writes to ex-footballer's family praising their strength and dignity in the years since his death

Police have formally apologised to the family of the former footballer Dalian Atkinson after an officer who kicked and fired an electric stun gun at him was convicted over his death, the Guardian has learned.

In June PC Benjamin Monk, of the West Mercia force, became the first officer in more than three decades to be convicted of manslaughter during the course of his duties.