Pc's shooting to be re-examined

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/8588504.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A decision not to bring charges over the fatal shooting of a police officer during a firearms training exercise is be re-examined by prosecutors.

A inquest ruled that Pc Ian Terry, 32, was "unlawfully killed" as Greater Manchester Police's firearms unit practised in a disused factory in 2008.

Following the verdict, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has agreed to review the file into the death.

A CPS spokesman said: "We will see if the inquest uncovered more evidence."

Pc Terry's colleague, a firearms officer identified only as Chris, shot him in the chest as he pretended to be a suspect in a "cops and robbers" style exercise.

'Appalled and upset'

Jurors at Manchester Coroner's Court were critical of both the firearms unit and its training regime.

Thursday's verdict of unlawful killing related to both Pc Terry's death and the planning and conduct of the exercise.

The father-of-two, from Burnley in Lancashire, was not wearing body armour when he was shot at close range by specialist ammunition called Round Irritant Personnel (RIP).

About 20 officers were involved in the fatal training exercise

The CPS had previously said there was not enough evidence to bring charges against the police force and the officer who fired the fatal shot.

The incident is still under investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has said it will not release the findings of its own investigation until after the CPS and the HSE have finished their investigations.

Pc Terry's family said they were "appalled and upset" by the evidence heard at the inquest.

They said they were disappointed "at the conduct of a number of officers who Ian regarded as friends, in their reluctance to accept any responsibility for their actions".