We have carefully reviewed the direction of the Independent Office for Police Conduct that W80 should face a misconduct hearing in connection with the fatal police shooting of Jermaine Baker in 2015.
Given these events took place eight years ago and the ongoing process of investigation and inquiry has had a significant impact on all concerned, it is in everyone’s interests we proceed to the misconduct hearing and conclude this matter at the earliest opportunity.
We have also considered the IOPC request that we ask another force to hold the hearing. Our position remains that we do not accept the Met’s objections to the IOPC’s earlier direction to hold a gross misconduct hearing, or our wider call for support and legal reassurance for armed officers, impinges upon our independence, nor the impartiality of the misconduct hearing process.
The hearing arrangements for W80 will be made by the Met. However, the police panel member will be from another force and the hearing led by an independent legally qualified chair.
Arrangements are now being made for the hearing to proceed as soon as possible.
The lengthy duration of the different conduct and legal stages for this case is yet another example of the need for the Home Office Police Accountability Review, which is expected to report by the end of the year.
