James Fox
2 Feb 2017 · Coroner Andrew Walker · London (North)
The coroner's concerns
1. gunshot wound to head from close range
“The accuracy of shots fired at close range. A number of shots were fired at close range, (about 1 meter), resulting in a range if injuries spread over a large area including a gunshot wound to the head.”
2. lack of contingency planning
“There was no detailed contingency plan formulated at the briefing to cover the very real prospect that Mr [name redacted] might at the very least open his door. It was left to the officers to apply their generic training.”
3. absence of less lethal firearm
“A larger calibre less lethal firearm is available for use in other circumstances.”
4. lack of ballistic shield
“there is no currently available shield with enhanced ballistic protection and a visible section that officer's might use to safely shelter behind.”
5. insufficient protective equipment deployment
“if the presumption is that every firearm has the potential to kill or cause serious injury to officers, and members of the public, who attend or are present, at a firearms incident then the response to each incident does not utilise that maximum available protection ie, two officer team one with a full length shield and the other carrying a short carbine.”
6. inconsistent police training curriculum
“The differences between, and apparent contradictions within the curriculum used for the training of police officers.”