Officer could be prosecuted over man’s shooting
A POLICE firearms officer has been suspended and could face prosecution following the fatal shooting of a man in north London.
Jermaine Baker, 28, from Tottenham, died from a single gunshot wound during a police operation near Wood Green Crown Court on Friday. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it had launched a criminal homicide investigation into the death. That could lead to murder or manslaughter charges against the officer.
Such an investigation is highly unusual. A spokesman from Scotland Yard told The Daily Telegraph it was “not routine”.
Scotland Yard confirmed it was cooperating with the IPCC over the investigation and had suspended one of its firearms officers.
Dept Asst Commissioner Peter Terry, the senior officer leading post incident, said: “The exact circumstances that led to Mr Baker’s death must be thoroughly and independently examined. That is the role of the IPCC. It is only through establishing the full facts, as quickly as possible, as to what took place that day that the best interests of justice and of all those affected can be served.”
The development comes after four men appeared in court charged in connection with an alleged plot to free two convicts from a prison van. Two of them were also charged with possession of an imitation firearm and driving a motor vehicle which had been taken without the consent of the owner. They were remanded in custody.
Two other men arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to facilitate the escape of an individual from lawful custody have been bailed to a later date.