The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has slammed the brakes on misconduct proceedings against Met firearms officer NX121. The move follows demands to wait for upcoming legal changes to the police use of force test before proceeding.
Met Police Furious as Officer’s Future Hangs in the Balance
Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman blasted the delay, saying the officer’s life has been “frozen” for over three years since his murder acquittal. Harman said:
“After NX121’s unanimous not guilty verdict, we urged the IOPC not to pursue misconduct charges. The facts were fully tested in court, bringing what should have been a definitive end.
We accept the IOPC’s decision to pause, but it must be short. NX121’s life has been effectively frozen for over three years — the stress and uncertainty are unbearable for him and his family. We also sympathise deeply with Mr Kaba’s grieving family.
Complex legal wrangles and drawn-out timelines hurt all parties — officers, families, and the public who want transparency and speedy justice. Our firearms officers face deadly threats daily and deserve better protection from endless delays.
We urge the Home Office and Ministry of Justice to swiftly enact the vital reforms recommended by Sir Adrian Fulford and Tim Goodwin. These changes will deliver a fair, consistent, and timely legal process.”
The Backstory: Why All the Drama?
- The Met has opposed the IOPC’s push to serve misconduct charges after NX121 was unanimously cleared of murder at the Old Bailey. No fault was found — just a split-second decision under immediate threat.
- Calls have been mounting for reform to the police use of force test in misconduct and inquests. Current rules are tangled and slow, causing agony for officers and bereaved families alike. The Kaba family’s grief remains raw, demanding a fairer, faster process.
- Firearms officers play a vital role in London’s safety — dealing with roughly 4,000 armed incidents and 800 planned operations yearly. They arrest about 1,600 armed suspects and seize over 1,000 weapons annually. Yet actual shooting incidents happen just once or twice a year on average.
What’s Next?
This ongoing stalemate highlights the urgent need to balance police accountability with fairness and support for officers who risk their lives daily. The spotlight’s on ministers to act fast and deliver the reforms desperately needed.
