HOME Secretary Yvette Cooper will today kick-start a review into the prosecution of cops after a firearms officer was cleared of murdering Chris Kaba.
The Cabinet Minister is reviving a probe which will weigh up whether armed officers have the right protections under the law – especially when making “split second decisions”.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will today kick-start a review into the prosecution of cops[/caption]
Martyn Blake was acquitted of the murder of Chris Kaba this week[/caption]
Ms Cooper will update MPs on the work first started under the Tory administration which could cut down on the amount of time investigating complaints against officers.
The statement to the Commons was confirmed by Sir Keir Starmer as he travelled to Samoa to meet Commonwealth leaders.
A proposal being considered included raising the threshold for sending cases to prosecutors which could lead to a possible court action.
Cop Martyn Blake who fatally shot Kaba is likely to face gross misconduct charges even though he was cleared of murder this week.
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A jury took less than three hours to acquit Blake over the shooting after saying he feared the 24-year-old would use his Audi car to kill officers during the incident in September 2022.
The Prime Minister said it was essential that the legal rights in place allow the public to have confidence in police forces especially those impacted by police actions.
Sir Keir said: “I do think it’s a serious point on the accountability review that the last government started but didn’t finish.
“We are going to pick that up and complete that accountability review because it is important that the public have confidence in the police including of course the armed police.
“But it’s also important that the police know that we have confidence in them doing a very difficult job so we will pick that up.”
The PM added that he understood the pressures of firearms cops from his time as a prosecutor especially the four years he spent in Northern Ireland.
Sir Keir added: “I do understand the pressure that firearms officers operate under having to make split second decisions in difficult, fast-moving circumstances.
“I obviously saw that for myself when I was prosecuting. I obviously saw it for myself literally in Northern Ireland when I was working there for four years.
“I was in the control room on a number of occasions when those decisions were being made by the senior command, to pass the decision down to the officer on the ground and saw for myself just how difficult that is.
“In this particular case, I’m not going to comment on the CPS decision.
Ex-Home Secretary Suella Braverman launched the review last September after a revolt within Scotland Yard ranks following the murder charge.
The Ministry of Defence called upon soldiers for backup support after armed cops turned in their permits as part of a protest.
In an update to MPs back in March, then Home Secretary James Cleverly said many cops didn’t feel they were being treated fairly under the current system.
Mr Cleverly said: This is having a detrimental impact on morale and the willingness of officers to volunteer to take on the role of firearms officers. This is impacting police capability to do their job and protect the public. “
