By Tony O’Reilly-
The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), has called for sweeping reforms in the way police officers are held accountable, especially concerning the use of force and pursuits during their duties.
Welcoming the announcement of a review by Home Secretary Suella Braverman in to how the actions of officers are scrutinised, Sir Mark Rowley said this area of law and regulation is “long overdue for reform to address a number of imbalances”.
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This move comes as dozens of MPS officers have taken voluntary leave following the murder charge against one of their colleagues involved in the fatal shooting of Chris Kaba in South London last year. Kaba’s tragic death in September 2022 ignited a series of events that have raised serious questions about police accountability.
The controversial decision by a group of armed police officers to take leave in solidarity with their charged colleague has sent shockwaves through the policing community and the public at large.
Some observers perceive this act as a form of protest against the murder charge, but others view it as an unprecedented display of collective action by law enforcement officers who feel their discretion is not being trusted.
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Critics argue that this move raises troubling questions about the willingness of police officers to accept responsibility and scrutiny for their actions. ”Why should police fire arms men believe they are immune to prosecution, Dominic Makinsons, an information analysts analyst from Scotland.
‘The critical question here is whether the CPS found good reason to charge the officer with murder. This is a legal question, not one of emotions or allegiance”, she said
”There are many people who believe the officers on leave are avoiding accountability in a case that has divided public opinion. If they believe the charge is wrong, then they must say so, which they probably cannot until they hear the full facts of the case in court”
One police officer told this publication on the condition of anonymity that fire arms officers do not just go killing people without good reason.
”Fire arms officers are united in their protest against the criminal charges against one of their colleagues because of the very risky and important job they do.
‘They have a split second to make a decision, and when dealing with someone known to be involved in a fire arms incident, anything can make them fear for their lives. Especially when they know the individual to be very dangerous.
‘It is a very difficult and complex thing to assess the discretion of a police fire arms officer, much depends on the details.
The case that has prompted these developments centers around the tragic shooting of Chris Kaba, a 24-year-old South London resident, in September 2022.
Kaba lost his life after being fatally shot by specialist MPS firearms officers in Streatham Hill following a pursuit. The circumstances of the shooting remain disputed, with Kaba’s family and supporters contending that he posed no immediate threat.
The murder charge against one of the officers involved in the shooting has further intensified the already contentious atmosphere surrounding the case.
The charged officer, whose identity remains confidential due to ongoing legal proceedings, is set to face a trial that will determine whether his actions were justifiable or criminal.
Support from Mark Rowley: A Veiled Critique?
Mark Rowley, a former head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing with extensive law enforcement experience, expressed support for the officers’ decision to take leave.
While Rowley did not explicitly endorse the murder charge, his remarks have been interpreted by some as a subtle critique of the charge.
Reforms Called for by Sir Mark Rowley
In an open letter to Home Secretary Suella Braverman, Sir Mark Rowley highlighted the need for extensive reforms in police accountability.
He emphasized the necessity of addressing policies and practices of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), particularly in relation to the threshold for investigating police use of force and involvement in pursuits.
Rowley expressed particular concern for firearms officers, who often find themselves in precarious situations while performing their duties. He called for reforms that would provide officers with sufficient legal protection, enable them to maintain public safety, and ensure that accountability is applied consistently and fairly.
As the legal proceedings continue and the controversy surrounding the Chris Kaba case deepens, the United Kingdom finds itself at a crossroads in policing and justice.
The decision by armed police officers to take leave as a form of protest against a murder charge serves as a symbol of the complex and contentious nature of these issues.
The review initiated by Home Secretary Suella Braverman is poised to bring about significant changes in the regulation and accountability of law enforcement officers.
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