After an arduous legal and disciplinary journey spanning nearly six years, two Metropolitan Police firearms officers, operating under call signs NX1 and MY55, have finally been vindicated of any misconduct stemming from their involvement in a high-stakes operation against an armed and dangerous robbery gang in south-west London in 2018.
The incident, which transpired on December 3, 2018, unfolded during a meticulously planned operation targeting a gang notorious for armed robberies of cash-in-transit vans.
Officers were tailing a car linked to the gang in the Wimbledon area as it manoeuvred to follow a cash-in-transit van. Notably, the car’s passenger had spent a portion of the morning lying down in the back seats, further heightening officers’ suspicions.
When the occupants of the car began to approach the cash-in-transit van on foot, armed and highly trained firearms officers, including NX1 and MY55, sprang into action.
Identifying themselves as armed police, the officers confronted the suspects – Brooklyn McFarlane and fellow gang member Abdi Omar. The suspects attempted to flee, prompting NX1 and MY55 to each fire a single shot, believing McFarlane to be armed and an immediate threat.
While the shots resulted in McFarlane sustaining injuries, they also triggered a prolonged delay in resolving the case, shedding light on significant systemic issues within police oversight and accountability mechanisms.
In January 2020, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) forwarded a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), resulting in charges against NX1 for causing grievous bodily harm with intent and against MY55 for attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. The IOPC also directed the Met to conduct gross misconduct hearings for both officers.
On October 11, 2021, the officers were acquitted after the CPS declined to present evidence against them on the first day of their trial. This decision came after a re-review of evidence, including video and expert testimony, which led the CPS to conclude that there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.
Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley expressed his concern over the protracted legal and procedural delays, highlighting the strain endured by the officers and their families. He questioned the efficiency and fairness of scrutiny systems, noting the disparity in clearance timelines for officers involved in terrorism incidents versus those confronting armed criminals.
Despite the CPS’s decision not to pursue evidence against the officers, the IOPC persisted with gross misconduct hearings, which recently concluded with the officers being absolved of any wrongdoing.
The prolonged ordeal faced by NX1 and MY55 has sparked discussions about its impact on officers’ willingness to serve in armed capacities. Commissioner Rowley stressed the need for ongoing reforms to ensure fairness and efficiency within police accountability systems.
As the Metropolitan Police and other stakeholders advocate for systemic changes, this case underscores the personal and professional toll endured by those serving in law enforcement. While the officers’ exoneration provides closure, it also underscores the imperative for comprehensive reform to support frontline officers.
In November 2022, McFarlane was sentenced to 13 years in jail for conspiracy to commit robbery, weapons offences, and handling stolen goods.
