Mine Remains Strangely Undented...

...though I've absolutely no confidence in the IOPC to dent:

The family of a man shot dead by a police officer during a foiled prison break have accused Scotland Yard of evading accountability after a case against the marksman was thrown out.Baker’s family said there was no justification for the killing and questioned how W80’s action had escaped scrutiny. The police watchdog said the case has dented public confidence in police accountability.

There was every justification for the shooting since their family member was a criminal engaged in criminal pursuits. It’s insane that once again a cop who did his job is persecuted for it. 

The officer, known only as W80, shot Jermaine Baker as police stopped a plot to snatch two prisoners from a van near Wood Green crown court in 2015.Baker, a father of two from Tottenham, north London, was shot at close range by counter-terrorism specialist firearms officer W80, who thought Baker was reaching for a gun. Baker, who was sitting in the front passenger seat of a stolen Audi A6, was unarmed. An imitation firearm was later found in the back of the Audi, the misconduct hearing previously heard.

The fact it wasn’t a real gun means nothing. 

Prosecutors said in 2017 that there was insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges over the shooting, but the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) directed that the officer should face misconduct proceedings, prompting a lengthy legal dispute between the watchdog and the Metropolitan police.

The IOPC is not fit for purpose and needs to be shut down. 

Maybe Because You Pre-empted It?

 The Met Police congratulate themselves:

This year's Notting Hill Carnival had "far fewer" incidents of serious violence than in recent years, the Metropolitan Police has said. As of Monday evening, there had been 423 arrests over two days. There were two stabbings, but the Met said neither led to serious injury.Met Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward said the use of live facial recognition, metal detectors and stop-and-search had "prevented some of the serious violence we have seen at previous carnivals".

But hang on. Does that include your pre-event arrest tally?  Because maybe that played a part too?

Police have arrested 100 people ahead of the Notting Hill Carnival, and say they have taken dozens of weapons off the streets as part of an operation to ensure the safety of all those attending Notting Hill Carnival this weekend.

Or maybe we should accept that ‘only two stabbings’ is some sort of great result, and not call for the closure of this ridiculous event which panders to black culture at the expense of the taxpayer? 

And Probably Not The Last...

...because there's no chance of the useless Met Police changing, and no-one in government inclined to bring them to heel. 

A prolific burglar who broke into a M&S store to steal £500 of sirloin and T-bone steak as well as 20 bottles of prosecco, has become the first person to be jailed in a private prosecution.

Only large chains are able to afford the action this story celebrates, however. The small shopowner is unlikely to be able to afford this. 

David Hanson, 44, who had 105 previous convictions including 33 burglaries, was caught in the act and arrested by two detectives from a private policing company. The store manager from M&S in Streatham Hill had called police immediately after catching Hanson stealing on CCTV but despite the footage, the Met Police decided not to investigate.

Instead, the case was taken on by TM Eye - a private investigator company which was founded by former Scotland Yard chief detective David McKelvey. The firm, which uses plain clothed officers and those in uniform, has already helped prosecute 280 shoplifters, however, the south London case marks the first time a prosecution has been made against a thief.

Just as with the police initially ignoring reports of dangerous dogs, when they do act, they often find other criminality. So they are cutting their own throats with this policy.