Should This Police Officer Even Be Facing These Charges?

[anotheoldgit]

http://news.sky.com/story/1608039/firearms-officer-arrested-over-police-shooting

But get ready for a period of rioting and looting if this officer is cleared of all charges.

[andy-hughes]

According to your own link AOG -

Ms Butts told the meeting: "There was evidence to indicate that a potential criminal offence may have been committed by the officer in his use of lethal force.

"The evidence we have at this stage does not mean that the officer definitively committed a criminal act and nor does it mean he will necessarily be charged with a criminal offence."

So he is not facing charges yet - but there is evidence that something illegal may have occurred.

As always, we will have to wait for evidence to be presented, and if a trial takes place, we will observe the outcome.

[VHG]

Even the police have to obey the law, they can just shoot anyone they like for no reason.

We don't know all the facts of course.

[Mamyalynne]

Let's see if charges are brought and await more evidence.

[Baldric]

Wasn't there, didn't see anything so don't know, but they must have their reasons.

[Baldric]

///they can just shoot anyone they like for no reason///

Wow, didn't know that!
;o)

[retrocop]

Well some firebrand who, of course,wasn't at the scene at the time is stirring up his buddies by telling them the deceased was gonking in his car when he was shot.How come they had stopped for a kip and a loaded non-issue firearm was in the car.
The arrest is just a capitulation and a fop to rent a mob. Suspended from duty is going a bit far but in some cases the officers are pretty shook up and need time off.The incident has to be investigated for the Coroner but IPCC are,IMO, are making a sacrificial lamb out of an officer doing his duty.
The reason the armed police unit was there in the first place was because of reliable intelligence indicating an armed hijack was going down. Still I suppose there are still some in that community believe it is perfectly normal to carry a loaded illegal firearm in their ride. innit.
Last time a police officer was treated unfairly by the IPCC who pre judged a firearms incident many surrendered their "Authorisation cards". It was not worth the grief volunteering for dangerous firearms duty and then getting ill judged flack when the firearm is used.
That should go down well in the post Paris threat. The Met need more ARVs to police London safely not just the 2 they have presently. They will have none at this rate.

[david small]

Don't punish a man for doing his job. These gangsters live by the sword and should not bleat when they die by the sword. You cannot expect protection if you condemn the protector evertime a firearm situation occurs.

[viv41]

Good post david ...

[jackthehat]

It is right and proper that full investigations ought to be held when there are incidences such as these on our streets.

The prompt action taken by the IPCC should head off any claims of 'cover-up', incompetence, etc. until such time as the facts are established.

[Khandro]

//I think it's perfectly correct to suspend an officer (on full pay) while an enquiry takes place;//

I never understand the reasoning behind this, why should a police officer not continue in his post until a verdict is arrived at?

[anotheoldgit]

There was need for the police to send out a trained firearm squad, one of the perpetrators in the plan to release a prisoner by force had a firearm with him, and in the attempt to arrest him got shot and killed.

What more proof do they need?

[jackthehat]

The facts are not that cut and dried, AOG.
Hence the need for the suspension and the enquiry...

[Khandro]

Well disarm him, surely he can be of use to the force and community, why should they suffer the loss?

[andy-hughes]

david small - //Don't punish a man for doing his job. //

If - and I stress that no-one knows anything yet - this officer has shot someone with an unlicensed firearm, then he is not 'doing his job', and he fully deserves to be punished.

These gangsters live by the sword and should not bleat when they die by the sword. //

There is no 'bleating' going in here.

What separates the law keepers from the law breakers is the simple fact that the law keepers are accountable, and they have to be, they cannot be a viable protection force unless they are shown to be obeying the laws they uphold.

You cannot expect protection if you condemn the protector evertime a firearm situation occurs. //

No-one is 'condemning' anyone - the investigation is at an extremely early stage, and as most post have confirmed, we must wait and see what unfolds.

[Mamyalynne]

It is statutory procedure to investigates a death during a Police operation , I personally doubt the officer will face any charges.

[retrocop]

The normal procedure in the past would be to suspend the officer from further firearm duties and if need be allow the officer to take paid leave pending an enquiry.
The officer has not been charged so there is no need to arrest him. He won't be going any where whilst the incident is thoroughly investigated so I would suggest the word Arrest sounds more of an appeasement to the gangster's supporters. There may well be an ambiguity in the chain of events but you don't arrest anyone unless you have the evidence to charge them.
One officer some time ago was allowed to take his wife and young family on holiday after he lawfully killed a robber at a security van hi jack near a Macro store in the East End. He was still under investigation and was not charged, in any case, but he hadn't been exonerated when he went abroad.

[jackthehat]

Khandro - Any subsequent actions/arrests could be compromised (or a wily Solicitor/barrister would suggest they may have been) by his presence when investigating them in *any* capacity.

[andy-hughes]

AOG - //What more proof do they need? //

Proof that the correct proceedures have been followed.

That is what allows the police to function effectively, and what heads of the inevitable reaction from certain sections of the public that a man was murdered.

Remember - the evidence may well clear the officer of any wrong-doing - it remains to be seen.