PCA investigation into the death of Harry Stanley

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4 December 2000

The Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, Toby Harris, today responded to the outcome of the inquiry by Surrey Police and the Independent Police Complaints Authority into the fatal shooting of Harry Stanley in South Hackney on 22 September 1999. The CPS have advised that there is insufficient evidence to bring any criminal charges against the police officers involved.

Toby Harris said:

“On behalf of the MPA, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Harry Stanley.

“The outcome of this case again raises questions about the duration and processes of this type of inquiry and consequent public confidence in the current system of complaints against officers. Cases like this further highlight the problems and reforms needed in the complaints procedures.

“MPS firearms officers often have to make split second decisions which have enormous implications for the safety of the public and the officers own safety. Although firearms officers undergo regular training, tragedies such as this do raise questions about the training programme, and the Authority will want to take a close look at this.”

This case was voluntarily referred by the MPS to the independent Police Complaints Authority who appointed Surrey Police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of Mr. Harry Stanley in September 1999.

Harry Stanley was shot by officers from an armed response vehicle on 22 September 1999 in Hackney when a member of the public had reported seeing a man apparently in possession of a firearm.

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