The UK’s Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has announced that firearms officers who face trial for shooting suspects will be given anonymity until they are convicted. The reform comes after a police officer, Martyn Blake, was cleared of murdering Chris Kaba. Blake shot Kaba during a vehicle stop in Streatham, London, in September 2022. Cooper says the reform would ensure “a presumption that officers have their anonymity preserved” but with the right being “subject to judicial discretion in individual cases”. This is part of a new package of measures aimed at improving police accountability, proposed by the UK government in March.
Other proposed reforms include speeding up the process for the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) watchdog to send cases to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), a “presumption of dismissal” for officers found guilty of certain criminal offences, and a national database for police incidents resulting in deaths or serious injuries to be used for future training.
Cooper said that the reforms would provide clarity, tackle delays, and ensure high standards are maintained. James Cleverly, the shadow home secretary, said that firearms officers should be able to use their training as part of their defence in criminal proceedings. He agreed with almost all of the government’s proposals and urged MPs to make statements on police decisions thoughtfully and carefully. Diane Abbott, a Labour MP, warned that there is a danger of the police being seen as above the law.
Currently, every armed police officer is personally responsible for their actions, and officers cannot use more force than is strictly necessary. Under a new system, officers will be given anonymity up to the point of conviction.
Martyn Blake was found not guilty of murdering Chris Kaba. The Metropolitan Police said that Blake, who was suspended throughout the process, would be reinstated immediately. The IOPC confirmed that Blake was facing a gross misconduct hearing before his criminal trial and would review its findings. The Met plans to make fresh representations to the IOPC, and the watchdog will take into account evidence at the trial and any additional representations
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