Two brave Metropolitan Police Officers who responded to the terrorist attack in Streatham have been left ‘dumbstruck’ after being informed that they are now under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for their actions while responding to the knife rampage.
In a move described as “astonishing“ by the Metropolitan Police Federation (MPF), the armed police officers could face their jobs being in jeopardy as the IOPC probes their immediate response to the rapidly unfolding incident as they navigated their emergency vehicles through London’s busy streets to assist colleagues who confronted armed terrorist Sudesh Amman.
As the officers travelled in convoy with flashing blue lights and two-tone sirens towards the chaotic and dangerous scene in South London on the afternoon of Sunday 2 February, an unmarked police car being driven by one of them was involved in a collision with another vehicle.
All involved in the accident – including the officer – were injured.
The other officer being investigated by the IOPC was behind the wheel of a second marked Armed Response Vehicle (ARV) which continued to the fast-moving incident in Streatham.
Immediately after the incident, Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute “to the speed and bravery of the police who responded and confronted the attacker”.
The two officers have now been placed on restricted duties (meaning that they cannot go out on patrol) since the IOPC served “papers” on them informing them of the investigation being conducted on them.
The Metropolitan Police Federation has warned that the investigation could take ‘months’ or ‘years’ to complete.
The move has outraged Metropolitan Police officers.
Ken Marsh, Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said:
“The public will be appalled when they hear that brave police officers responding to a terrorist attack can be treated in such a manner.
“What kind of message does this send?
These officers and their colleagues put their lives on the line that day to protect the public.
“Now potentially their careers are on the line. It’s absurd. A complete joke.
“Our colleagues did not know what danger they were travelling towards as the information emerged in real time about stabbings and threats of a suicide vest and explosives.
“Yet without hesitation, they drove towards that danger. Because that’s what police officers do.
“And yet now their careers are at risk as the hindsight brigade decide to justify their existence.
“These people need to understand the split-second and dynamic decisions police officers have to take.”
Ken called on the IOPC and its investigators to have some “empathy and understanding of the incredibly difficult and dangerous job police officers’ undertake”.
He added: “No one is saying that police officers should not be scrutinised or that their actions should not be accountable – but the last thing officers responding to a terrorist attack should be worrying about is whether their prompt response and bravery will put their livelihoods in danger.
“I am rarely astonished but this is truly astonishing.
“We are of course supporting our colleagues at this very difficult time and call on the IOPC to think again about what they are doing and what message their actions send to police officers.
“And importantly to the public we serve and protect.”
A spokesperson for the IOPC said:
“We are conducting an independent investigation into a road traffic incident involving a Metropolitan Police car which collided with two vehicles while responding to the terror attack in Streatham on Sunday 2nd February 2020.
“Two people received injuries.
“On Friday 28th February we served notices of investigation for dangerous driving and gross misconduct on the officer driving the vehicle involved in the collision and on the driver of a marked police vehicle which was in close proximity to the unmarked vehicle but not involved in the collision.
“A criminal investigation does not mean that criminal charges will necessarily follow.
“Misconduct notices do not imply guilt but are to inform the officer that their behaviour and conduct are under investigation and the level of severity.
“Such notices are not judgemental in any way.”
Find us in the new Google News App – search for ‘Emergency Services News’ and then click on the ‘star’ symbol to follow ESN.
CLICK here to join our Emergency Services News community on Facebook.
Our social media group/community is open to both the public and emergency services personnel.
It is also a great place to share any emergency services related content (such as videos) which you have filmed.
If you have a story or video that you would like us to cover/share, then you can contact our team via contact@emergency-services.news
We also cover stories which relate to the NHS, the armed forces and the security services.
Join our WhatsApp community!
ESN is now on WhatsApp, and we want you to join our 'read only' channel.
To join, you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is click the link and press 'Join community'.
No one will be able to see who is signed up, and no one can send messages except the ESN team.You won't get any 'SPAM' just news stories & videos written & produced by our team of former emergency services personnel.
Joining our WhatsApp channel is a great way to help support our work and best of all, it is free!
If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Before you read or leave a comment...
In an age where mainstream media often overlooks the sacrifices made by our emergency services personnel, Emergency Services News is a critical fact-based voice you can trust
While we persist in our mission, we need your help to continue. Your donation directly enables us to produce high-quality content that elevates the stories and challenges faced by the men and women who serve, stories that are often ignored elsewhere.
We deeply appreciate your support. Your contribution empowers us to keep shining a light on the remarkable, yet often overlooked, individuals who serve our communities every day. Thank you for standing with us.
You can support emergency services news from as little as £1. It only takes a minute. Every contribution, however big or small, is vital for our future.
Please help us to continue to highlight the life-saving work of the emergency services, NHS and armed forces by becoming a supporter.
I am more than astonished at the decision taken by the IOPC I’m appalled as a member of the public. Allow these brave officers to get on with their careers and saving lives.
So, these people at the “idiots offending Police Constables” are effectively trying to promote a situation where Officers, unfairly concerned with the impact to their careers, are being bullied into responding at 29mph to EVERY incident, regardless of the dangers this places upon the members of the public they defend??? I am not an Officer, but I have the utmost respect for the dangers they are willing to endure just so I can sit on my couch in safely, I cant think of anyone who could be able to justify a split seconds action in the face of 9-18 months of intense scrutiny, by all means hold Officers accountable, but to threaten their careers over an “blue light run” accident is unfair.. We dont pay Officers to sit in a station wasting talents gained over time, retrain if required, but they should be on the streets where we need them!!
there will come a time when officers wont respond as they could end up in same situation im sure somewhere along the line eu are influencing the actions taken when someone hears a siren they try to get out of the way but some are confused and actualy get in the way people are not told what to do in this situation ,I think training for the public is wanted or an advert on tv displaying good and bad actions and the possible outcomes
So they risk there lives 24 /7 to protect the public and other officers and some faceless pen pushing morron how’s only risk he or she takes is putting one foot in front of the other takes two hieghly trained officers off the streets and in doing so puts ever ones life at risk including theres to make sence of the pointless sad jobs. Lets hope above all else no one dies because of the stupid pen pushing pointless jobs. These faceless idoits should do the job on the street
I am constantly astonished by the IOPC’s behaviour towards Police Officers who are regularly scrutinised by these unworldly and naive ‘Investigators’ who take up to ELEVEN! years in some cases. to decide on the fate of brave and dedicated, highly-trained, officers making split-second life or death decisions, to protect themselves and the public.
I have, many times, been in similar positions during my service, and have also been under investigation by these armchair, politically-correct oxygen wasters – it is a very worrying time for most officers, especially as the ‘Investigation’ can take so long. Fortunately, I retired unscathed, but not all of my colleagues have been so lucky.
Scrap the Incompetent Ordure of (Anti)Police Complainers NOW!
Absolute total morons, taking good police officers off the streets, when everyone else is calling for more. They are doing the job that they are paid for and doing it well, unlike the pen pushing, computer driving, cycle riders, who don’t know what real life is all about! It’s sad that they are unable to obtain real jobs, but have to stoop to victimising those who do!
Sad times indeed, but the answer is to withdraw from carrying firearms, leave all the “swat stuff” in the station, then get them round the table & discuss the appropriate way to go from there
These Police officers saved lives while putting their’s in danger! This country needs to stop crime not encourage it & when they take our officers off the streets for doing their jobs this is what’s going to happen. These IPOC’s need to stop this stupidity & wake up to the real world or speak to an officers family who have lost their lives!
If the IOPC don’t investigate the leftwing nutjobs will scream favouritism and god only knows what else, though if the marked ARV wasn’t involved I can see no reason, unless a false (witness) statement is suspected, for restricted duties for that officer. There’s potentially much more to this than meets the eye.
Thought it was common practice to susspend from that duty ie driving/firearms/bad conduct till after investigation. Look how long it takes ask HM Forces NI !!!
These officers did what they did to protect the public and I for one would be very grateful to know we have police officers there for any incident. The only problem is we have far too many snowflakes in this country!!. The IOPC may need a quick response from police one day – will there be a complaint then – I dont think so.
The only problem is that the only people who would participate in that type of training (outwith driving test situations of course) are the same people who would not require it, it’s the biggest indicator of an idiot, when they state “I’m a good driver, I dont need or want more training!” I personally believe there should be some type of “pass plus” type training on a regular basis, there are few types of skills that do not require updating at some point, why would driving be different?
This Country never ceases to amaze.