Firearms officers accused of shooting someone dead will remain anonymous during the trial, the Home Secretary announces | Political news

Firearms officers on trial for police shootings will not be named during criminal proceedings, the Interior Minister has announced.

Yvette Cooper announced an investigation into the responsibility of firearms officers and confidence in the police after a police sniper Martyn Blake was acquitted by a jury on Monday following the murder of Chris Kaba in Streatham, south London, in September 2022.

Mr Blake, 40, fired a single bullet through the windscreen of the Audi Q8 24 years old Kaba drove as armed officers surrounded the car as he tried to escape.

The Metropolitan Police firearms officer was first appointed in March this year when a judge lifted an anonymity order after media organizations challenged the legal application to protect his identity.

Previously known by the codename NX121 after threats were made against him, he is now reportedly living in hiding, fearing for his life and his family after a £10,000 bounty was offered in revenge for Kaba’s death to anyone willing to do that. kill him.

Ms Cooper said officers will now remain anonymous until convicted, and said the ruling will form part of a forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill.

She told the House of Commons: “When officers act on behalf of the state in the most dangerous situations, it is vital that those officers and their families are not placed in further danger during any subsequent legal proceedings. anonymity for firearms officers who are subject to criminal proceedings following a police shooting in the exercise of their professional duties, up to the point of conviction.”

Ms Cooper said Kaba’s death and the trial of Mr Blake took place against “a backdrop of fallen community confidence in the police and the criminal justice system across the country”.

There is “lower trust among Black communities,” she said.

The interior minister acknowledged that Kaba’s parents and family “continue to experience deep sadness and fear.”

She also said it was “absolutely essential that the jury’s verdict is respected”, while calling for Mr Blake and his family to be “given the time and space… to recover from what must have been an enormously difficult experience”. .

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She also announced:

• Legal basis for the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) victims’ right to review.

• The threshold for referring police officers to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) should be the same as when the police refer cases involving members of the public – currently it is lower for the police

• The IOPC will be allowed to forward cases to the CPs if there is sufficient evidence to do so, rather than having to wait for a final investigation report

• The Director of Public Prosecutions will review CPS guidance on charging police officers for offenses committed while on duty

• The College of Policing will be asked to set up a database of ‘lessons learned’ about deaths or serious injuries following police contact or pursuits.

• Police officers found guilty of “certain offences” will automatically be found guilty of gross misconduct and will be dismissed “immediately” if they fail to carry out the check

• Officers are suspended if they are under investigation for domestic violence or sexual offenses.