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Metropolitian Police Authority discuss Stockwell scrutiny report
The Metropolitan Police Authority’s (MPA’s) Stockwell scrutiny report over the killing of Jean Charles de Menezes, was discussed by members at a meeting on Thursday 24 July.
Len Duvall, chairman of the MPA, said, “It is our role to ensure that lessons are learnt and actions are taken to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again. Learning lessons is a very difficult and complex process for the Metropolitan Police when the focus of that learning is still subject to pending legal issues. There are still outstanding issues we cannot examine, but the report has reached the most logical conclusions possible prior to the inquest.”
Mr Duvall then spoke of the panel’s findings: “The panel commended the significant progress made in areas such as command and control, information management and communication, and strategic direction of critical incidents and operations. However, the implementation programme and change is not complete and the coroner’s inquest into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes may identify other issues that require action, such as technology, surveillance procedure, firearms mobilisation and control rooms.”
He added, “Concerns about the practice of police officers conferring when making notes following a firearms operation must be addressed. There is a need for transparency and the need to respect the rights and sensibilities of firearm officers. The MPA has requested that the Commissioner responds in writing, outlining how the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) intends to implement the recommendations and the MPA will ensure regular updates are received.”
The MPA will also consider the views and opinions of the Menezes family and their lawyers. In addition, Mr Duvall said, “Actions taken by the MPS to respond to Stockwell need to be tested continually as to capability and resilience in the context of future policing.”
By Luke Marjason
