Two years after a driver was fatally shot, a police officer in Britain has been acquitted of murder. The case sparked protests and also brought accusations of racism against the London police.
The police officer was subsequently charged with murder last year – a jury at the Old Bailey criminal court has now found the 40-year-old not guilty, the British news agency PA reported.
“Violence used appropriately”
The head of the Metropolitan Police defended his colleague. Mark Rowley said he made a split-second decision that he believed was necessary to protect his colleagues and London. “The jury found that this belief was genuine and that the force used was reasonable.”
According to the investigation, the driver who was shot was not the suspect
Police officers pursued and arrested the young driver in September 2022 over an incident the day before. Investigation shows that the man was not regarded as a suspect. Relatives and activists also held protest marches to demand explanations.
The victim’s family is devastated
The victim’s family said they were devastated. The verdict leaves her with the “deep pain of injustice”. “No family should have to endure the unimaginable pain we experienced.” The decision shows that his life and that of others are not important in the system. “Our son deserves better.”
Her colleague’s accusation also sparked protests at the Metropolitan Police and a debate over the use of firearms. Some officers gave up their weapons permits in protest. The Metropolitan Police has also been criticized for some time. According to one report, she was institutionally racist, sexist and homophobic.
Source: Krone
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