In light of the Paris attacks, Prime Minister David Cameron is issuing a review of legal protection for UK’s armed police if they pull the trigger against suspicious individuals.
In a report from the Sunday Times, Cameron aims to tackle the issue of shoot-to -kill policy deeper. A senior government told the publication that concerned officers “fear prosecution” if circumstances force them to pull the trigger.
It was during a meeting of the National Security Council that concerns were raised about the protection of the British public from an attack similar to what happened in Paris. However, the review is morphing to become a controversial debate since it will cover the entirety of police firearms use and will not solely focus on counter-terrorism operations.
"Terrorist incidents both at home and abroad have shown very clearly the life and death decisions police officers have to make in split second circumstances,” a senior source from the Sunday Times commented in a report from Huffington Post UK.
"We must make sure that when police take the ultimate decision to protect the safety of the public they do so with the full support of the law and the state – there can be no room for hesitation when lives are at risk."
The timing of the review also comes after the arrest of an officer as part of the Independent Police Complaints Commission’s (IPCC) investigation into the death of Jermaine Baker.
According to The Guardian, Baker died from a single bullet fired on his neck while inside his car. He was located 100 yards from Wood Green crown court in north London. The publication reported that Baker, who was claimed by recent reports to have connection with gang members, did not feature on the Metropolitan police’s databases.
The review of shoot-to-kill policy is on tap to be reported privately to the Prime Minister next year. It will be conducted by the Home Office, the Attorney General and the Ministry of Justice.
The British government is expected to carefully consider the due process of protecting their armed police in times of legal prosecution. Should they promise them and their families greater support, it’s possible that police could become more efficient in their goal to protect the public.
