JB-15.1 Response Accepted Self-assessed

Clarify separation of SIO and firearms commander roles

Recommendation

There should be clearer guidance from the MPS, College of Policing and/or the NPCC on the separation of roles between the Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) and the Tactical and Strategic Firearms Commanders (TFC and SFC). The guidance should be clear that not only should the SIO and TFC/SFC be different individuals, but the importance of the separation of responsibilities under those roles should also be emphasised.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to DAC Barbara Gray, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) initiated an internal review in July 2021, leading to an interim position separating the Strategic Firearms Commander (SFC) from the investigation team. A formal paper on MO19 recommendations was submitted to the Armed Policing Delivery Group in February 2022. According to the College of Policing's APP-AP update from August 2023, this recommendation was completed, but no further published evidence has been identified since then.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, web.archive.org, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
This recommendation requires implementation across many organisations. The assessment reflects central policy response, not adoption in individual organisations.
Jurisdiction
England
Section Reference
15.1
Response
Accepted
Accepted Metropolitan Police Service
28 Oct 2022

MPS formally responded on 28 October 2022 (paras 5-6). MO19 internal review commenced July 2021; DAC Barbara Gray authorised interim position separating SFC from investigation team. Chief Inspector Tom Williams led formal MO19 recommendations paper submitted to Armed Policing Delivery Group 23 February 2022.

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Progress Timeline
Official Report
01 Aug 2023

Status as of College of Policing APP-AP update (August 2023): Completed

Source
Source
Inquiry Jermaine Baker Inquiry
Report Report into the Death of Jermaine Baker 05 Jul 2022
View Source
Responsible Bodies
College of Policing Primary
Themes & Tags
Police investigation management Staff training and development Armed Policing Command Structure Training
Recommendation age 3.7 yrs
Last formal update 966 days ago