Suspended marksmen ‘stay suspended’
The Metropolitan Police has upheld the suspensions of two police officers found by a jury to have unlawfully killed an unarmed man.
Chief Inspector Neil Sharman and Police Constable Kevin Fagan were suspended from duty after an inquest into the death of Harry Stanley recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.
The policemen shot Mr Stanley in 1999 after they were mistakenly informed that he was carrying a firearm, which turned out to be a wooden table leg in a plastic bag.
Earlier this month, their suspension caused over 100 firearms officers to lay down their arms in protest.
Ian Blair, the deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said today that despite the lack of evidence of wrongdoing by the two officers, he could not ignore the fact that a lawfully sworn jury had come to this conclusion, by a majority of seven to two.
The officers remained subject to “an allegation of the utmost seriousness” that could lead to a severe penalty if proved, he continued.
“Under those circumstances, it is the case that it is contrary to the public interest for the two officers to remain available for duty at the present time. They must therefore remain suspended.”
His statement follows an oral review of the suspensions, in which he received detailed presentations from the Director of Professional Standards, who took the decision to suspend the officers, and representatives of the Police Federation. He also received advice from the Metropolitan Police Authority and the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
Mr Blair, who was recently unveiled as Sir John Steven’s successor as Metropolitan Police Commissioner, will review the need for suspension on a monthly basis until a decision on how to proceed is reached by the Crown Prosecution Service. More widely, the suspension procedure for officers accused of misconduct will also be reviewed.
Mr Blair will continue to press for law reform in this area so that in the event of criminal charges being brought in cases such as this in future, there are alternatives open to the CPS other than murder.
The officers concerned will not lose out financially as a result of the decision, he said.
