Statement: Fatal police shooting Inquest concludes

1 June 2024

Response from Chair Mike Reed after an inquest found that a man carrying two knives was lawfully killed by City of London Police officers.

Mike said: “Our members are called on at times to make decisions in split seconds… to then be examined in detail over long periods.

“This case has taken four years to reach the decision of lawful killing.

“Our members throughout that time have acted professionally while waiting for the result of today’s Inquest and an IOPC investigation.

“No police officer goes to work to take the life of another. Our role is to preserve life when and where we can. That said, an officer should also have the right to defend themselves when placed in harm’s way.

“When policing is under such scrutiny - and officers often comment they feel unable to use force to do the job the public demands of them - it is imperative that outcomes such as this, via the IOPC and the coronial process, recognise lawful and proportionate uses of force.

“I would like to thank the officers of the Ministry of Defence Police, the Metropolitan Police and the City of London Police who worked that day and indeed turn up every day for duty to keep London safe, not knowing what that day will bring.

“I would also extend a thank you to the Fed Reps, officers and staff that have supported the officers from this incident on the night, and over the past four years.”