Minister: Firearms Officers on Trial for Shooting Suspects Will Remain Anonymous unless Found Guilty

October 23, 2024 TruthUSA

Serving and retired police officers have raised concerns about the decision to remove the anonymity order for marksman Martyn Blake during his trial.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced that firearms officers on trial for shooting suspects will remain anonymous unless they are convicted.

Cooper stated in a House of Commons address on Wednesday that a presumption of anonymity will be introduced as part of the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill.

The government acknowledged that disclosing the names of police officers involved in such cases could make them targets for criminals. Cooper told MPs: “It is essential that these officers and their families are not subjected to additional danger during legal proceedings after acting in high-risk situations on behalf of the state.”

She added, “Therefore, we will implement a presumption of anonymity for firearms officers facing criminal trials following a police shooting while on duty, until a conviction is secured.”

Cooper’s announcement came after a jury acquitted Metropolitan Police marksman Martyn Blake of the murder of gang member Chris Kaba.

Earlier this year, a judge lifted the anonymity order protecting Blake’s identity, which had been previously known as NX121. This move was criticized by serving and retired police officers, warning that it could negatively impact morale, recruitment, and cause officers to feel unsafe.

Accountability Review

Cooper also revealed additional reforms recommended by the police accountability review initiated under the former Conservative government.

These changes include aligning the referral threshold from the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to match the standard used by police for incidents involving the public.

Cooper stated, “Currently, the threshold is lower for police officers, which is unjustified.”

Another modification will expedite the process by enabling the IOPC to refer cases to the CPS when there is enough evidence, without waiting for a final investigation report.

One of the recommendations supported by the Home Office is granting bereaved families the right to appeal if the IOPC chooses not to pursue charges against an officer.

Further details of the review were provided in an accompanying briefing document to Cooper’s statement, outlining legislative actions to strengthen police accountability and performance frameworks.

Cooper emphasized the importance of building confidence in the system, stating that the existing process for holding officers accountable is lacking public and police endorsement.

She stressed, “It is crucial for the public to trust that officers will be held accountable if they misuse their powers or fail to meet required standards.”

‘Core’ Gang Member

Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman initiated the review in September 2023, following Blake’s murder charge in Kaba’s case, which resulted in officers surrendering their firearms licenses in protest.

Cooper urged the Commons to respect the jury’s verdict and allow Sergeant Blake and his family time to recover from the challenging experience during the investigation and trial.

Blake was acquitted on charges of shooting 24-year-old Kaba in London, with the jury accepting his defense that he believed his colleagues’ lives were in danger from Kaba’s actions.

Upon lifting reporting restrictions, it was revealed that Kaba was a key member of a dangerous gang in London, implicated in multiple crimes leading up to his death. He had a history of criminal offenses and was involved in several violent incidents.

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