17 May 2018

The Independent Office for Police Misconduct (IOPC) has directed the Metropolitan Police Service to hold gross misconduct proceedings for the actions of the officer that fatally shot Jermaine Baker in December 2015. 

The IOPC had previously recommended that the MPS investigate the actions of the officer, known as W80, for excessive use of force.  The MPS refused to accept the recommendation leading the IOPC to direct proceedings.

Jermaine Baker was fatally shot by W80 in December 2015.  The inquest into the circumstances of his death is outstanding.


Deborah Coles, Executive Director of INQUEST, said:

“Once again we see a force refusing to accept the police watchdog’s misconduct recommendations. Any fatal use of force by police officers must be subjected to the highest level of scrutiny and accountability.  It is deeply concerning that the Metropolitan Police Service has had to be forced to take action in this case.  This follows a pattern of similar cases where forces are refusing to act until compelled to do so.

Almost two and a half years since Jermaine’s death, his family are still waiting to see some semblance of justice and accountability.  Can the public really have confidence in a system that allows forces to manage their own misconduct processes in such serious cases as this?”


ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information, interview requests and to note your interest, please contact Anita Sharma on 020 7263 1111/ [email protected]

INQUEST has been supporting the family of Jermaine Bakers since December 2015. The family is represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group member Michael Oswald of Bhatt Murphy Solicitors.

The IOPC press release can be found here: https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/news/officer-facing-gross-misconduct-hearing-following-fatal-shooting-jermaine-baker