Police Sue Force Over Raid Where Colleague Died

[Oldbillplod]

Four police officers are suing their own force for compensation over a bungled anti-terrorist raid which saw them injured while a colleague was stabbed to death in a fight with the suspected leader of a ricin poison plot.

Greater Manchester police confirmed last night that the men had started civil proceedings after the incident, involving an alleged cell of al-Qaida "sleepers" traced to a flat in Crumpsall, Manchester, in January 2003.

Special Branch detective constable Stephen Oake, who was 40, died of multiple stab wounds to the chest when Kamel Bourgass, one of three men held by a raiding party of 23 police, broke free after being held for an hour and becoming increasingly agitated.

DC Oake's death was followed by revelations of confusion between nine members of the local tactical aid unit, who were wearing body armour when they entered the flat, and 14 unprotected and unarmed Special Branch staff, who were supposed to be in a support and intelligence-gathering role.

The handling of the raid was criticised at a hearing in the high court in London earlier this year, when Bourgass, a 31-year-old Algerian, lost his appeal against conviction for murdering DC Oake and wounding and attempting to murder the four other officers.

An internal inquiry by Greater Manchester police shortly afterwards added to the acknowledged failings in the planning and carrying out of the raid. DC Oake, who lived at Poynton, Cheshire, left a widow and three teenage children.

Bourgass broke free while being held with another man in a bedroom, and grabbed a knife from the flat's kitchen. He lashed out at all the officers, but the brunt was borne by DC Oake, who was repeatedly stabbed before other officers ran through from the room where they were guarding a third man.

Concerns were raised at the time that the Special Branch team did not know Bourgass's identity or why he was being held. There were also questions over a failure to use handcuffs.

A Greater Manchester police spokeswoman said: "Due to ongoing legal proceedings we cannot comment further."

[oscarmitre]

Good move. They should win and let that be a lesson to the others.

[Big Sexy]

Big doesn't quite understand. They are suing themselves for not using handcuffs and allowing a suspect to retrieve a weapon and killing a fellow officer? Big is genuinely asking, no sarcasm intended nor implied.

[Oldbillplod]

I would suggest it was because at the time police could not use handcuffs prior to arrest and also because they weren't given the full information regarding the al-Qaida connection.

[Dash]

DC Oake's death was followed by revelations of confusion between nine members of the local tactical aid unit, who were wearing body armour when they entered the flat, and 14 unprotected and unarmed Special Branch staff, who were supposed to be in a support and intelligence-gathering role.

Along with the points in previous posts, this was likely a contributing factor.

[sgtbear111]

Go after the fat butts and fat wallets of those politicians above the Chief who oppose arming the UK cop. Also go after the wallets of the police union leaders who fail to represent their member's best interests. When they get hit for their personal fortunes (after taxes of course), results are more likely.

I also suspect a reluctance of the officers to use force, or restraints.

[oscarmitre]

sgtbear - couldn't agree more. Just one point about the union leaders. Sadly the Police Federation in England and Wales is crippled by its enabling legislation. Mind you I think sometimes their top brass need a boot up the backside too but since they are a creation of Parliament (after a bitter police strike back in about 1918 or thereabouts) they have been kept on a tight leash.

I hope this wins because it will force the bosses - brass, police authorities of various types and politicians - to start thinking about the wellbeing of the average copper and not about favourable headlines for them (said bosses I mean).

[Oldbillplod]

A petition was handed into No 10 Downing Street asking that DC Oake be recognised for his endeavours during the incident, and this was the reply that the prime minister gave;


Thank you for signing the petition calling for DC Stephen Oake posthumously to be given the George Cross.

I want to start by saying I completely share the petition's view that DC Oake was a brave and dedicated officer and that his sacrifice must not be forgotten. I knew DC Oake personally and attended his funeral.

I also share the petition's sentiments about the bravery and dedication of the police in general. We are extraordinarily fortunate to be so well served.

However, decisions over bravery awards have been taken for decades by a special non-political committee which examines each case carefully against strict criteria. This is not in any way to belittle any individual's bravery or sacrifice but to ensure consistency in decisions over time.

This does not, however, diminish in any way the debt we owe to DC Oake and thousands of brave officers like him. Whether or not his actions met the criteria for this particular medal, he was a man of whom the whole nation is proud and I personally have no hesitation in calling him a hero.

Yours sincerely,
Tony Blair



Disgusting i'm sure you will all agree:mad: