Met responds to new IOPC policy on use of force

The Deputy Commissioner has responded to new policy from the IOPC on the use of force standard in misconduct cases.

Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes said:

“I welcome the new guidance published today by the Independent Office for Police Conduct to apply the amended legal test to ongoing misconduct cases involving the use of force.

“We hope the IOPC will finalise the proceedings against NX121 quickly, a course of action we have consistently advocated for following his unanimous acquittal at the Old Bailey and in the absence of any evidence that he had failed in his duties. Following a full criminal trial, the facts of the case were extensively tested before a jury, which returned a unanimous not guilty verdict. In our view, that should have brought this matter to a clear and definitive conclusion.

“We recognise the impact on NX121, his family and the wider firearms community, who have endured almost four years of uncertainty while these processes have unfolded, as well as the family of Chris Kaba, who continue to live with the loss of a loved one.

“We have consistently said since the criminal trial that there is no basis for further action against this officer and that remains our position.

“I know this change will also provide reassurance to firearms officers across London and the wider country, who carry immense responsibility on behalf of the public and need confidence that decisions made in good faith, in fast-moving and dangerous situations, will be judged fairly.

“At the same time, this case has exposed that the current system is too slow. A split-second decision, taken in circumstances which presented an immediate threat, has been followed by years of investigations and legal proceedings. That has had a profound impact on everyone involved and demonstrates the need that both policing and the IOPC recognise for a swifter system that maintains both public confidence and rigorous accountability.

"That is why I welcome the recent changes to the law, introducing a presumption of anonymity for firearms officers during court proceedings until conviction and restoring the criminal test for the use of force in misconduct cases. These reforms create a fairer and more balanced system, ensuring officers are not held to different evidential thresholds for the same incident across separate proceedings.

“Police officers understand and accept that they will be held to account when they use lethal force. Equally, the public, bereaved families and officers deserve an accountability system that is fair, straightforward, proportionate and timely. Today's decision reinforces the importance of delivering exactly that."