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Jermaine Baker, of Tottenham, was shot during a Metropolitan Police operation that thwarted a plot to snatch two prisoners from a van near Wood Green Crown Court in December 2015.
The Met said the officer, known only as W80, was part of a firearms team sent to intercept a car containing a group who were attempting to free a criminal from custody. An imitation firearm was found in the car.
BACKGROUND:
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the officer, known only as W80, will now face a gross misconduct hearing for his role in the 28-year-old’s death.
It has also asked the Met to consider getting another force to hold the hearing.
It follows a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that held the officer could face misconduct proceedings.
IOPC acting director general Tom Whiting said: “This case has been through protracted legal proceedings, which have been extremely challenging for everyone involved, not least W80 himself and Jermaine’s family.
“Following the Supreme Court ruling, we carefully reviewed our original decision. We considered evidence from the public inquiry, we invited additional representations from all parties, and sought additional independent assurance.
“We have now upheld our original decision that W80 should face a gross misconduct hearing. This isn’t a decision we have taken lightly, but we believe that it was the right decision in 2015 and remains so following the clear ruling from the Supreme Court in July.
“It’s important to stress that the IOPC does not decide whether or not W80’s actions amounted to gross misconduct – that is the role of the hearing panel who will come to a decision after considering all of the evidence.”
The IOPC said it has asked the Metropolitan Police to consider asking another force to hold the hearing to “provide additional reassurance about the independence of the process”.
Mr Baker’s mother, Margaret Smith, welcomed…
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