Investigation into the stop and search and arrest of a man prior to a shooting at a police custody centre – Metropolitan Police Service, September 2020

Metropolitan Police Service · Ref: 2020/142987

Recommendation date: 7 November 2022

Response due: 2 January 2023

Published: 23 June 2023

Custody and detention Death and serious injury

During the early hours of Friday 25 September 2020, a man was stopped and searched by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). For the search the man was handcuffed with his hands at the front of his body. His coat was not removed, but it was opened at the front and lifted at the back. All of his pockets were checked, as well as his waistband and shoes. The man was found to be in possession of bullets and cannabis. No firearm was found at this stage. When the bullets were found the man was handcuffed with his hands behind his back, arrested and taken to a police custody centre in a police van. The man remained handcuffed to the rear whilst seated in a holding area at the custody centre. Whilst officers were preparing to search him with a metal detecting wand, he stood up, produced a gun …

View on IOPC website

Recommendations (1)

Recommendation 1 Accepted

Recommendation

The IOPC recommends that the NPCC, in partnership with Chief Constables and relevant stakeholders, should consider the implementation of handheld metal detectors in all response vehicles and vehicles used to transport detained persons. This should include consideration of: A) Any … Read moreThe IOPC recommends that the NPCC, in partnership with Chief Constables and relevant stakeholders, should consider the implementation of handheld metal detectors in all response vehicles and vehicles used to transport detained persons. This should include consideration of: A) Any evidence that has been collated regarding instances where metallic items or weapons concealed upon detained persons have been brought into custody suites. B) Any policies, guidance or training that would need to be developed or updated to ensure the effective implementation and use of handheld metal detectors by officers. C) The financial implications and any potential unintended consequences of implementing handheld metal detectors, including how these might be mitigated. This follows an IOPC investigation into the circumstances surrounding a detained person entering custody with a gun in his possession. Following a stop and search [that yielded no firearm], the man was arrested and transported to custody. Shortly after his arrival, the man produced a gun that was concealed on his person and shot and sadly killed a custody sergeant. The man was restrained by officers, during which time the gun was discharged again and the man received a serious injury. In addition, the IOPC have identified six other cases whereby detained persons have brought concealed metallic items into custody suites, despite being searched by officers prior to entering custody. In all of these cases, the detained person used the metallic item or weapon to harm themselves or others. The IOPC considers the implementation of handheld metal detectors in response vehicles and vehicles used to transport detained persons may aid officers in locating metallic items or weapons concealed upon a detained person at an early stage and prior to transportation to custody – enhancing officer safety. If implemented, they should be considered as a screening device available to officers already conducting a lawful, justified and systematic physical person search after arrest. Handheld metal detectors should not be intended to replace the requirement for a physical search and, if implemented should be used at the discretion of the officer conducting the search, taking into account the search powers relied upon and the objective of the search. In advance of making this recommendation, the IOPC has liaised with other forces who have or are adopting the use of handheld metal detectors as a search aid prior to detained persons arriving at custody. This process identified several forces across England and Wales who have implemented or are implementing handheld metal detectors to frontline officers or vehicles as an additional tool to assist physical searches of detained persons. Do you accept the recommendation? Yes Show less

Force Response

Accepted action: Key observations would be: The NPCC Local Policing Committee understands the implementation of handheld metal detectors in all response vehicles including those to transport detained persons would achieve the safeguards sought from the investigations into the heinous events … Read more