Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced that firearms officers facing trial for shootings will be granted anonymity until their conviction. This decision comes in the wake of the recent acquittal of police officer Martyn Blake, who was cleared of murdering Chris Kaba, a man shot during a vehicle stop in Streatham, London, in September 2022.
Cooper stated that this measure will apply only in the rare cases where firearms officers in England and Wales are charged with criminal offenses. The case involving Kaba has raised broader concerns regarding police accountability and public confidence in law enforcement, according to Cooper.
The new anonymity rule is part of a broader reform package aimed at enhancing police accountability, which includes several measures proposed by the previous government in March. These measures aim to expedite the process for the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) to refer cases to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), increase the threshold for such referrals, and establish a “presumption of dismissal” for officers convicted of specific criminal offenses. Additionally, there will be an appeal mechanism for bereaved families if a decision is made not to pursue charges.
A review into the thresholds for inquests and inquiries into deaths will be conducted by Adrian Fulford, a former senior judge, alongside Tim Godwin, the acting commissioner of the Metropolitan Police during the 2011 riots following the police shooting of Mark Duggan. The review will evaluate whether the standard for determining unlawful killings in inquests should be raised.
Cooper emphasized that these measures are “practical steps to rebuild confidence” and to ensure that high standards are maintained within the police force. However, James Cleverly, the shadow home secretary, argued that firearms officers should be able to use their training as a defense in criminal proceedings. He urged caution among MPs, highlighting the need for thoughtful discourse regarding police accountability.
Concerns about police community relations were voiced by Labour MP Diane Abbott, who stated that the perception of police being above the law could be detrimental. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also emphasized the importance of public confidence in the police and the government’s role.
Under current laws, armed police officers are held personally accountable for their actions and must only use necessary force. The recent trial concluded with Blake being found not guilty of murdering Kaba, and he is expected to be reinstated immediately by the Metropolitan Police.
The IOPC confirmed that Blake is still facing a gross misconduct hearing and will review its findings based on evidence from the trial. The Metropolitan Police welcomed this review, acknowledging the complexities surrounding the incident.
In the aftermath of the trial, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley stressed that no officer is above the law but expressed concerns about the accountability system, stating that it is broken. He warned that undermining the morale of good officers could ultimately jeopardize public safety.
Amidst calls for change, Abimbola Johnson, a barrister involved in a scrutiny board aimed at improving trust among minority ethnic communities, cautioned against using the Kaba case to advocate for legislative changes, noting that it is not a typical case of police accountability.
