Investigation into fatal shooting finds police use of force was appropriate

Graham Trinder, 57, was shot by a Wiltshire Police officer in the early hours of November 8, 2020, when holding what is now known to be an air rifle outside his address in Summers Street.

Police had been called at around 2am to reports of an argument between Mr Trinder and another man.

The IOPC said a single-crewed firearms officer was the first to arrive on the scene.

At 2.07am, after evidence indicates Mr Trinder had raised a long-barrelled firearm with a scope towards the officer, the firearms officer fired a single shot from a Glock handgun which struck Mr Trinder in the chest, just as other officers arrived on the scene.

“Several witnesses to the incident attest that the firearms officer had identified himself as armed police and instructed Mr Trinder to put the gun down before firing,” the IOPC said.

After the shooting other officers present attempted CPR and an ambulance was called, but Mr Trinder was pronounced dead at the scene in the ambulance shortly before 3am.

On Friday (February 28), an inquest into the death of Mr Trinder returned a conclusion that he was lawfully killed.

The IOPC said its investigation found it would not have been possible for police officers to have known at a distance and in a relatively dark environment that the weapon Mr Trinder was holding was an unloaded air rifle.

It added: “Following the end of our investigation in October 2021, we found no indication that any officers should face disciplinary action or had committed any criminal offence.

“While it is noted that a medical pathologist described Mr Trinder’s injuries as non-survivable, we decided that the firearms officer would benefit from reflective practice over the provision of immediate first aid and, along with two police constables, in relation to the securing of the non-police issue firearm straight after the shooting.”

Wiltshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Deb Smith said: “First and foremost, our sincerest condolences remain with Mr Trinder’s family and friends. Whilst incidents of this nature are thankfully incredibly rare in Wiltshire, this does not diminish the impact they have on all involved and the wider communities in which they take place.

“Following this incident, the IOPC carried out a thorough and independent investigation. This is something that the public rightly expect and deserve. We provided our full support to the IOPC investigation. Having reviewed footage of the incident and statements from those involved, the IOPC determined that the use of force was reasonable in the circumstances and that no disciplinary action should be taken against the officers involved.

“This determination has been reinforced through the verdict of the jury in this inquest.

“Ultimately, no firearms officer ever wants to discharge their weapon – all officers swear an oath to protect the public. Our firearms officers are highly trained to make split-second decisions in extremely pressurised circumstances.

“We have provided ongoing support to the officers involved in this case and will continue to support them following today’s decision.

“During the inquest, the coroner made the direction to issue part of the body-worn video covering the incident to the media. We welcome the public transparency this allows. However, our thoughts and condolences remain with Mr Trinder’s family and friends.

“We fully appreciate the impact that the inquest process might have on our local communities. It will, undoubtedly, bring back some difficult memories for those who were living in the area closest to the incident in 2020.

“Our collective focus, therefore, remains on supporting these communities and I would urge the local community to reach out to their Neighbourhood Policing Team at this time.”

IOPC Director Derrick Campbell said: “Our thoughts remain with Graham Trinder’s family, and everyone affected by his death.

“Fatal police shootings are fortunately rare and lethal force must only be used by officers when absolutely necessary. When such incidents happen, it’s right that the circumstances surrounding the shooting are thoroughly and independently examined.

“This was a highly stressful and challenging incident for all concerned. The evidence we gathered supported the firearms officer’s belief of an immediate threat to his own life and to others on encountering Mr Trinder holding a weapon in the street that morning.

“Witnesses confirm the officer clearly announced himself as armed police and body-worn footage shows Mr Trinder sadly did not comply with requests to drop his firearm. The distance between police and Mr Trinder, along with physical restrictions of parked cars, did not enable officers in the short time available to use any less lethal option such as Taser.

“At a time when Mr Trinder had raised and pointed his weapon in the direction of police, in our view the firearms officer’s use of fatal force was justified and reasonable.”

Wiltshire police and crime commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “Following the inquest conclusion into the death of Mr Trinder, my thoughts and sincere condolences remain firmly with those closest to him, his family and friends.

“I recognise the deep impact this incident will have had, not only on those closest to him, but also on members of the community who may have witnessed or been affected by these events in 2020.

“This was the first fatal police shooting in Wiltshire and, while the use of police firearms is thankfully rare both here and across the country, these incidents are understandably distressing for all involved.

“No police officer ever wants to take a life, and the use of force – particularly lethal force – is always a last resort.”

He added: “Wiltshire’s firearms officers undergo rigorous and continuous specialist training to ensure they can make split-second decisions under extreme pressure, always with the primary aim of protecting life.

“This is why the use of force by Wiltshire Police remains under constant scrutiny, not only through national oversight bodies, like the IOPC, but also through local accountability measures.

“My office has a dedicated scrutiny panel which reviews police use of force, ensuring transparency and accountability to the public. This is a crucial part of our commitment to maintaining trust and ensuring that policing is carried out with the consent and support of the communities it serves.

“I recognise that the inquest process may have brought back difficult memories for many. My office, alongside Wiltshire Police, remains committed to engaging with and supporting those affected. I encourage anyone in need of assistance to seek support through local services or to reach out to their local policing teams.

“As we reflect on today’s conclusion, my priority remains ensuring that Wiltshire Police continues to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, and accountability, working with the public to build trust and confidence in policing across our county.”