The London police force rejected the suggestion that another force should run the proceedings, reports Miriam Balanescu

Wood Green Crown Court near where Jermaine Baker (inset) was shot dead by police

The Metropolitan Police has said a misconduct hearing in connection with the fatal shooting of Jermaine Baker by an officer will take place at ‘the earliest opportunity’.

Tottenham resident Jermaine Baker was shot by firearms officer W80 in 2015, while Jermaine attempted to free an inmate from a prison van near Wood Green Crown Court.

The Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Independent Office for Police Conduct’s (IOPC) request for misconduct proceedings in July.

In a statement released today (21st November), the Met Police said it had ‘considered’ the IOPC request that another force to run the proceedings, but said that a member of the misconduct hearing panel will be from another force. The hearing will be chaired by an independent lawyer.

The Metropolitan Police said: “Our position remains that we do not accept our objections to the IOPC’s earlier direction to hold a gross misconduct hearing, or our wider call for support and legal reassurance for armed officers, impinges upon our independence, nor the impartiality of the misconduct hearing process.”

The force added: “Given these events took place eight years ago and the ongoing process of investigation and inquiry has had a significant impact on all concerned, it is in everyone’s interests we proceed to the misconduct hearing and conclude this matter at the earliest opportunity.

“The lengthy duration of the different conduct and legal stages for this case is yet another example of the need for the Home Office Police Accountability Review, which is expected to report by the end of the year.”

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