GUN cops to get anonymity in wake of Chris Kaba trial fallout

Protecting identities

GUN cops will have their identities protected in future to avoid more being forced into hiding like Martyn Blake, the Home Secretary has announced. Yvette Cooper has laid out a package of measures to better shield armed police following the fallout of the Chris Kaba murder trial.

Presumption of anonymity

Speaking in the Commons, Ms Cooper said there will be a "presumption of anonymity" for firearm officers being dragged through the courts unless there is a conviction. She emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of officers and their families during legal proceedings.

Legal changes and investigations

Ms Cooper also vowed to raise the legal threshold for triggering police misconduct probes and create a "national lessons learned database" to log deaths and serious injuries during police operations for future training purposes. Despite being found innocent, Sgt Blake could still face repercussions due to a separate police watchdog investigation into Kaba's killing.

Rebuilding trust

Sir Keir Starmer and the Prime Minister have both highlighted the importance of accountability and building public confidence in police forces, especially those involved in armed operations. The PM expressed support for completing an accountability review to ensure trust in the police, acknowledging the challenges faced by firearms officers in making split-second decisions.