Officers and X-Rep deployment vindicated in Raoul Moat hunt

An inquest into the death of gunman Raoul Moat has delivered a unanimous suicide verdict this week while the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said there is no evidence that any police officers have committed misconduct.

The jury heard evidence in recent weeks and was told that Moat was hit by an experimental shotgun Taser round fired by marksmen who believed he was preparing to kill himself. Officers fired two X-Rep cartridges using X12 Taser shotguns, which were unauthorised and never used before by the firearms officers, with one hitting Moat on his forearm and the other missing. Shortly afterwards he shot himself and died.

The IPCC investigation examined the police response to the sighting of Moat on July 9 last year and his subsequent containment, through to when he was pronounced dead in the early hours of the following day. This examination included the command, strategy and tactics adopted, including the acquisition, use, operational authorisation and deployment of the X-Rep Tasers.

The IPCC said its investigation revealed the clear rationale behind the decision to use the weapons and the fact that Northumbria Police did seek legal advice. The force believed its intention to use whatever means it had to try to capture Moat alive overrode any questions of authorisation. The IPCC added that given Moat’s clearly-expressed intentions to harm himself and others, the X-Rep did present an opportunity to use non-lethal force to stop him.

IPCC Commissioner Nicholas Long said: “Guidance was not in existence in relation to training on the X-Rep Taser because the weapon had not received authorisation. Within such a fast moving situation there would be no realistic prospect of taking a firearms team away from active duty for the 18-hours of training stipulated in guidance for use of normal Tasers. Northumbria Police believed providing the X12 shotguns to shotgun-trained officers was prudent and given the context of the situation I must agree with that.

“The evidence collected by our investigation and heard at the inquest has shown how the two West Yorkshire Police officers deployed with the X-Rep Tasers acted in accordance with their instructions to try to prevent Moat shooting himself. His intent was clear and the officers’ actions showed the humanity of the situation. They, and the officers in charge of the operation, did not want more lives to be lost, including Moat`s. Unfortunately they failed in preventing Moat taking his own life. I know that is a source of deep regret for all involved in the events in Rothbury.”

The IPCC’s investigation concluded that there is no suggestion any discharge from the X-Rep Taser caused Moat to inadvertently pull the trigger. Moat was struck by one of the X-Rep Tasers, but this appears to have been a glancing blow which would have had very little effect. All the evidence collected by the investigations shows a further distinct movement by Moat to raise the shotgun to his head before firing.

However, there were some lessons that could be learnt by Northumbria Police, the IPCC said.

“One area which could have been improved was the recording of the final negotiations. It is evident this aspect of the operation was not well planned. A negotiator was trying to record the events on a hand-held Dictaphone. Better and more durable equipment should have been used and the fact it wasn`t meant the opportunity to capture vital evidence in the final stages of Moat’s life was lost,” concluded Mr Long.

Chief Constable Sue Sim said the force’s objective was always to protect the public from further injury by Moat and described the incident as a very complex and dynamic operation in which at one point officers were dealing with a potential hostage situation. She added that during the six hours of negotiating with the gunman, he made it clear that he had no intention of returning to prison. Expert negotiators also decided against using family and friends in the negotiations as it was concluded that it