The Police Ombudsman's Office was called in to investigate an incident at Ross Street in the Falls area of Belfast, during which a police officer discharged his gun at a stolen vehicle.
The incident happened after a police Land Rover was sent to Ross Street in response to reports that a Vauxhall Nova car and a Mazda 626 were racing each other along Ross Street/ Ross Road. As the police approached the scene a Vauxhall Nova reversed at high speed from a side street and collided with the front of the Land Rover. The force of the collision lodged the driver's side of the Nova onto the front of the Land Rover. As the police driver continued to drive his vehicle forward in an attempt to wedge the Nova between it and the kerb on the left, the driver of the car kept his vehicle at high revs in an attempt to dislodge it.
As this was happening a police officer got out of the Land Rover in order to speak to the car driver. However, as he was moving past the rear of the Land Rover the car broke free from the front of the Land Rover, its momentum forcing it to spin so that it ended up facing towards him. At the same time the Land Rover moved forward, leaving the police officer in open space with no cover.
The Nova maintained its high revs and continued towards the officer. When interviewed by Police Ombudsman investigators, the officer said he was mindful of the recent death of a police officer in similar circumstances. He said he drew his gun and shouted for the driver to stop the car before firing one shot and jumping out of the way of the vehicle, which headed off in the direction of Albert Street.
Further police enquiries established that the Nova and Mazda, which were found some hours later, had been stolen. Nobody has been arrested in relation to the theft of the cars.
Outcome of investigation:
Police Ombudsman investigators established that the officer who fired his gun was properly authorised and trained in the use of the firearm.
The Police Ombudsman, Mrs Nuala O'Loan, said there was little doubt that the officer had feared for his life. A number of police officers had indeed, she said, been struck by, and in some cases killed, by the drivers of stolen vehicles.
"In taking into account all the circumstances and evidence in this case it would appear that the use of force was proportionate, within legislation and guidelines; necessary to prevent serious injury and in accordance with Force instructions and training," said Mrs O'Loan.
She added, however, that the officer did not seem to have considered what would have happened had the driver of the car been shot and the car gone out of control, but added that there was no evidence to support any criminal offence or justify any disciplinary proceedings against him.