International Police Body Backs 'Shoot-To-Kill'

The shooting of Mr De Menezes, seven times in the head and once in the shoulder, provoked international concern over the Met's so-called shoot-to-kill tactics when dealing with potential suicide bombers in public places. However, the IACP's report indicates widespread international agreement on dealing with new forms of terrorist threat. The president of Britain's Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), Chris Fox, and his Brazilian counterpart, Paul Roberto d'Almeida, both sit on the IACP's international policing steering committee. The report carries detailed information how to identify and disable a suspected suicide bomber. Indicators of potential bombers include heavy clothing whatever the season, walking with an unusual gait or showing signs of irritability, sweating or tunnel vision, it says. If lethal force is justified for stopping suspects, the guidelines state that the usual police tactic of shooting at the torso is inappropriate when dealing with suicide bomb suspects, in case the bullet detonates the explosive. "Hence, if lethal force is justified, all shots should be aimed at a bomber's head - specifically, at the tip of the nose when facing the bomber, at the point of the ear canal from the side, or about one inch below the base of the skull from behind," the guidelines state. Acpo consults internationally and takes on board policing guidelines produced by the IACP, a spokeswoman said today. Acpo's policies must fit into the UK's legal framework, she added. Mr De Menezes, 27, was shot dead the day after four would-be suicide bombers tried to blow up three tube trains and a bus in London. He was tailed by Met officers with the aid of the newly formed special reconnaissance regiment, after he emerged from a south London property under surveillance in connection with the attempted attacks. An inquiry has been set up to investigate the circumstances that led to the shooting amid conflicting reports about whether Mr De Menezes tried to flee when officers moved to arrest him. He had outstayed his visa by two years, the Home Office said last week. Tony Blair and the Met commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, have both apologised for the mistake and police representatives have been negotiating compensation with the family of Mr De Menezes. His killing provoked condemnation in Brazil. Julio de Souza, the mayor of Mr De Menezes' home town, Gonzaga, described the death as an "assassination". Over 6,000 mourners attended his funeral last week. Acpo guidelines state that "police officers will shoot to immediately disable and remove the threat to their lives or those of other members of the public". Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2005 http://www.guardian.co.uk/attackonlondon/st| ory/0,16132,1542743,00.html

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