Actions and decisions investigated after man shot by police – Thames Valley Police, May 2024

A man called the police to report his neighbours were throwing bricks at his property. The police went to the man’s home and spoke with him, noticing the man had swords on the walls. The man was behaving erratically which raised concerns about the man’s mental health. Officers submitted an adult protection form for the man and no further action was taken.

The police received a call the following day from a woman who reported that her partner had been stabbed by the man. Officers arrived at his home and the man appeared with a crossbow. He chased the officers, shooting one in the leg with a crossbow bolt.

Armed response units were sent, and the man was found in a nearby park. He pointed the crossbow at armed police officers and would not stand still or drop the weapon when asked to do so. An officer shot the man in the abdomen with a single bullet as he tried to leave the park. The man received first aid and was taken to hospital. Both the man and the injured officer recovered from their injuries.

We received a death or serious injury referral from the force and decided to independently investigate the nature and extent of the police’s contact with the man.

We examined the actions and decisions made by officers who went to the incident, including the initial police response to reports the man had stabbed the woman’s partner, the decision to shoot the man, the medical care the man received after he had been shot by officers, and whether officers acted in accordance with local and national policies and guidance.

Our investigators reviewed body worn video, recordings of radio transmissions and recordings from members of the public. Witness statements were obtained from officers, and relevant legislation, policies and guidance were analysed.

We concluded there was no indication that a person serving with the police committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner to justify disciplinary proceedings.

We found that the actions of all officers involved in the incident, including the shot fired by the officer, were justified, proportionate and necessary. Officers demonstrated sound application of the National Decision Model, a police framework designed to make the decision-making process easier and standardised. Officers acted with courage, professionalism and sound judgement under pressure.

We carefully considered whether there were any learning opportunities arising from the investigation. We make learning recommendations to improve policing and public confidence in the police complaints system and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.

We did not identify any organisational learning in this case.