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Menezes coroner calls for review Menezes coroner calls for review
(20 minutes later)
The coroner who presided over the Jean Charles de Menezes inquest has released a report calling for a series of police systems and practices to be reviewed. The coroner who presided over the Jean Charles de Menezes inquest has called for police practices to be reviewed, saying "systematic failures" occurred.
Sir Michael Wright also pointed out the "stark difference" in the way police and civilians were asked to give their accounts of the Brazilian's death. In a critical report, Sir Michael Wright queried the "stark difference" in the way witnesses gave their accounts of the Brazilian's death.
Officers could work together but civilians had to speak "independently". Police officers could work together but civilians had to speak "independently".
The 27-year-old was shot dead in July 2005 by police who mistook him for a suicide bomber.The 27-year-old was shot dead in July 2005 by police who mistook him for a suicide bomber.
Last December, an inquest jury returned an open verdict on Mr de Menezes' death - rejecting the police account that he was killed lawfully.Last December, an inquest jury returned an open verdict on Mr de Menezes' death - rejecting the police account that he was killed lawfully.
The Met Police said substantial changes had already been made to procedures.The Met Police said substantial changes had already been made to procedures.
'Independent recollection''Independent recollection'
In his report released on Wednesday, Sir Michael made a series of recommendations about the Met's command structure, communications systems, identification procedures and rules of engagement. In his report released on Wednesday, Sir Michael said the jury's conclusion "suggests that systematic failures occurred".
His findings, which have been sent to Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, included comments on the process by which accounts of the shooting were gathered. The coroner made a series of recommendations about the Met's command structure, communications systems, identification procedures and rules of engagement, all of which have been sent to Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. A proper public debate about the 'shoot-to kill' policy is now long overdue Justice4Jean campaign
Sir Michael wrote: "There was a stark difference between their experience and the treatment of civilians, who were required to give their accounts promptly and independently.Sir Michael called for police procedures to be reviewed He remarked on the process by which accounts of the shooting were gathered from witnesses.
Sir Michael wrote: "There was a stark difference between their experience and the treatment of civilians, who were required to give their accounts promptly and independently.
"Officers were not cross-examined on the basis that their evidence was the product of independent recollection.""Officers were not cross-examined on the basis that their evidence was the product of independent recollection."
In response, the Met said substantial changes had already been made or were in the process of being implemented. Sir Michael made particular reference to the poor quality of photographs used by police to try to pinpoint their target and said identification procedures should be reviewed.
"Many of the officers who gave evidence commented that difficulties in identification bedevilled their work on the day in question," he said.
Sir Michael said the command structure for the operation on 22 July 2005 had been "repeatedly criticised as lacking clarity and being open to misunderstanding".
The "unprecedented situation" faced by officers after the failed bombings of the previous day offered some explanation for that, he said.
In response to the report, the Met said substantial changes had already been made or were in the process of being implemented.
It said it was working on introducing a dedicated team of officers to command firearms operations on a full-time basis, with a new role of Extreme Threat Tactical Commander to oversee complex operations.It said it was working on introducing a dedicated team of officers to command firearms operations on a full-time basis, with a new role of Extreme Threat Tactical Commander to oversee complex operations.
The force also believed its new Airwave radio system, which will work on the London Underground system for the first time, will address many of the communications issues raised by Sir Michael. The force also said its new Airwave radio system, which works on the London Underground system for the first time, addressed many of the communications issues raised by Sir Michael.Sir Michael called for police procedures to be reviewed
'Issue a challenge'
The coroner's report was welcomed by the Independent Police Complaints Commission and the de Menezes legal team.The coroner's report was welcomed by the Independent Police Complaints Commission and the de Menezes legal team.
But, in a statement, the Jean Charles de Menezes Family Campaign also asked why, "If the raft of weaknesses identified are now accepted..., no senior officer has accepted personal responsibility... or been held to account" for what happened. But, in a statement, the Justice4Jean campaign group also asked why, "If the raft of weaknesses identified are now accepted..., no senior officer has accepted personal responsibility... or been held to account" for what happened.
The inquest jury ruled that officers did not shout "armed police" before opening fire on Mr de Menezes, but the Met said it would encourage officers to issue such a challenge in future situations unless doing so would place individuals at risk.
Justice4Jean added: "If an armed officer has no intelligence or other information that tells him that the suspect has the means to detonate a bomb, he must issue a challenge or we risk repeat killings by the police.
"A proper public debate about the 'shoot-to kill' policy is now long overdue."