WIREDGOV

An Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation has found no case to answer against any Merseyside Police officer in their use of force during the arrest of Wesley Lafferty on 8 August 2014.

At just after midnight, police received a 999 call from Alderney Road in Liverpool during which a man was heard to claim to be in possession of a firearm and threatened to shoot any officers if they attended. Mr Lafferty could also be heard arguing with another person who was present in the property.

Numerous officers, including armed police, attended the address at which time Mr Lafferty was seen to point what was believed to be a firearm out of an upstairs window in the direction of an armed officer.  The officer fired a single shot from his police-issue G36 rifle.

A short time later, Mr Lafferty exited the property and surrendered to officers. He was taken to Aintree University Hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries. A subsequent search of the house revealed a realistic imitation shotgun.

The IPCC investigation looked at the use of force on Mr Lafferty, specifically whether the discharge of a police firearm was justifiable and proportionate and was within national and local guidelines.

IPCC Commissioner James Dipple-Johnstone said: 

“Our investigation found that Mr Lafferty was a threat to the other people present at the house as well as police officers at the scene. It concluded that when Mr Lafferty pointed his imitation firearm at the officer, the officer discharging his firearm was a necessary and reasonable response to the threat. We found no indication of a criminal offence by any officer, and no case to answer for misconduct.

“This is the second report in as many months that has found no case to answer for Merseyside officers in a firearms investigation and again I would like to welcome the openness and cooperation of the officers and the force with our investigation. This allowed us to conclude a thorough investigation quickly; improving public confidence that incidents like this are properly scrutinised.”

The IPCC shared its findings with Merseyside Police and Mr Lafferty in January 2015 and is now publishing as ongoing criminal proceedings have completed.