Officer faces sack for fatal shooting of jailbreak plotter
Police chiefs angered at ‘persecution’ of marksman as forces are struggling to recruit armed officers
GROSS misconduct charges are to be brought against a police marksman who shot dead a man who was trying to help a convict escape. Jermaine Baker, 28, was killed by armed police in December 2015 while trying to spring an inmate from a police van at Wood Green Crown Court in north London.
The officer who fired the fatal shot, known as W80, was told last year that he would not face criminal charges but could still be sacked after the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said he had a case to answer.
The decision sparked anger among his colleagues, who said he was being persecuted for doing his job. Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, representing London’s rank and file officers, said: “Firearms officers are among the bravest and most highly skilled officers who are expected to make split-second decisions that are then analysed over many years.”
Mr Baker was shot in the chest as he sat in a black Audi car near the court. He was allegedly part of a gang plotting to free two Turkish prisoners, Erwin Amoyaw-gyamfi and Erun Izzet, from a van as they arrived at court to be sentenced for firearms offences. Detectives had been tipped off and were waiting. An imitation firearm was recovered from the scene. Other gang members were later charged with weapons and abetting escape offences.
Announcing her decision, Sarah Green, IOPC regional director, said: “I have directed that W80 should face gross misconduct proceedings having applied the relevant legal tests. I have determined that in the specific circumstances of this case, a hearing could make a finding of gross misconduct. It is now for the police misconduct panel to decide whether W80 breached the police standards of professional behaviour by using excessive force.”
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “The MPS made representations to the IOPC, having disagreed with its findings. The IOPC has now directed that a hearing be held. W80, the officer’s family and colleagues continue to receive every possible support from the MPS.”
The announcement of a gross misconduct investigation comes the day after figures revealed that police continue to struggle to recruit armed officers. Simon Chesterman, of the National Police Chiefs Council, said potential candidates worried about the implications of shooting someone.
He said: “Naturally they have concerns about the impact it can have on the welfare of themselves and their families.”
Mr Marsh added: “It is no wonder the police are struggling to recruit firearms officers when they are threatened with losing their job after protecting the public.”