Metropolitan Police Authority Full Authority meeting and AGM

70/02
26 June 2002

The Metropolitan Police Authority will meet on Thursday 27 June at 10.30am in Romney House, 43 Marsham Street, London SW1 3PY. This will be directly followed by the Annual General Meeting. Both meetings are open to members of the public and press. 

This month Members will be considering a report on the introduction of the baton gun weapon system as a 'less lethal' option to firearms in self defence, arrest and restraint situations. The Met already uses a wide range of 'less lethal' equipment such as handcuffs, CS spray and other public order equipment, the use of which is always subject to rigorous risk assessment. The Home Office, ACPO and the Met agree that 'less lethal' options and technologies should not be seen as a direct replacement to police use of firearms. The 'less lethal' option would be used in certain situations to incapacitate a suspect to give police a tactical advantage. However, if a person is armed with a firearm or is considered dangerous enough to put life in imminent danger, firearms will still be deployed.

Toby Harris, Chair of the MPA said:

"We would like re-assurances that the baton gun would only be used in situations of serious violence such as those involving knives and as an additional tactical option at appropriate firearms incidents.  However, due to the nature of policing it will never be possible to provide a definitive list of all the situations where the baton gun might be used.

"Full training together with written guidelines, tactics and post incident procedures and investigation protocols will be in place before baton guns are used in the Met.

"We must work towards achieving a balance between keeping Londoners and police officers protecting them safe, whilst at the same time ensuring, as far as possible, the protection of the rights of an armed or potentially dangerous person."

Other issues on the Agenda include the MPA's Mission and Values and the 2001/2002 performance report. The Commissioner, Sir John Stevens, will give his regular oral update on current operational policing issues in London.

Following the Full Authority meeting, the MPA will hold its AGM when Members will elect the Chair and the two Deputy Chairs of the Authority as well as the Chairs and Deputy Chairs of the MPA Committees. The MPA has recently re-organised its committee structure and therefore Members will also be appointed to the new committees. 

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