Met Police officer who shot dead unarmed man in botched prison van escape plot faces misconduct probe
A MET Police officer who shot dead an unarmed man during a botched prison escape plot will face misconduct proceedings.
Jermaine Baker, 28, was killed after the force foiled a plan to snatch two prisoners from a van near Wood Green Crown Court in North London.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the officer, known only as W80, will now face a gross misconduct hearing.
The watchdog's decision comes more than seven years after the fatal shooting in December 2015.
Jermaine's mum today welcomed the decision, saying it is one the family "strongly support".
The dad-of-two was waiting in a stolen Audi to break inmate Izzet Eren, a senior member of the notorious Tottenham Turks gang, out from his prison van.
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W80 was part of the firearms team scrambled to intercept the car, where an imitation Uzi was later found.
An inquiry into Jermaine's death heard officers had intelligence the gang were unable to get a real gun but this information was not passed to the firearms team.
The judge ruled the operation was lawful but there were failings at every stage.
But he ruled when Jermaine was shot, the officer held an "honest and genuine belief" he was moving to reach for a gun.
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The Crown Prosecution Service decided not to bring criminal charges against W80 in 2017 - two years after he was suspended from duty.
The Supreme Court ruled earlier this year concluded the officer, who has since returned to work, could face misconduct proceedings.
Deputy Commissioner Lynne Owens said the Met will now be seeking legal advice following the IOPC's request.
It comes after a protest by firearms officers last week after an officer was charged with murdering Chris Kaba in a stop-and-search.
Ms Owens said: "The IOPC has told us that the direction to bring proceedings stands and we must hold a misconduct hearing. We will review the IOPC decision and reasons and consider our next steps.
"Our firearms officers do an incredibly difficult job in some of the most challenging and often dangerous circumstances.
"It is right and they expect and accept their actions are open to independent scrutiny – but officers need sufficient legal protection to enable them to do their job and keep the public safe, with confidence it will be applied consistently and without fear or favour.”