The Metropolitan Police has announced that a firearms officer, known as W80, will soon face a misconduct hearing for the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Jermaine Baker. The incident occurred during a failed prison breakout attempt near Wood Green Crown Court in North London in December 2015.
Jermaine Baker, from Tottenham, was shot by W80 as the police thwarted an attempt to free two prisoners, Izzet Eren and a co-defendant, from a van. The prisoners were being transported for sentencing on a firearms offence.
In 2017, prosecutors concluded there was insufficient evidence for criminal charges against the officer. However, the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), directed that misconduct proceedings should be initiated. This decision led to an extensive legal dispute involving the IOPC and the officer, with the Metropolitan Police providing support to W80.
In July of this year, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the IOPC. As a result, the Metropolitan Police has agreed to proceed with the misconduct hearing at the earliest opportunity. However, the Met has declined the IOPC’s suggestion to have another police force oversee the proceedings. Instead, a member from another force will be part of the hearing panel, led by an independent lawyer.
The Met emphasized the importance of resolving this long-standing case, acknowledging the significant impact the prolonged investigation and inquiries have had on all parties involved.
Margaret Smith, Jermaine Baker’s mother, has been a vocal supporter of the IOPC’s recommendation for another force to conduct the hearing. Her support stems from concerns about the impartiality of the process, given the Metropolitan Police’s involvement in the legal challenges that delayed the hearing.
An IOPC spokesperson expressed ongoing concerns about maintaining public confidence in the independence of the process. They noted the Met’s response and emphasized the force’s responsibility to bring the proceedings to a proper conclusion.
The case, involving a group of men attempting to free Izzet Eren and his co-defendant, led to several convictions in 2016. A public inquiry in July 2022 concluded that Mr. Baker had been “lawfully killed,” but also highlighted several failures in the police’s planning and execution of the operation. The upcoming misconduct hearing is a critical step in addressing these issues and ensuring accountability in Police.
