OPERATION BRIDGE - Cumbria Constabulary

GPMS RESTRICTED
viii. At 10:34 am Taxi Driver, Terry KENNEDY and passenger
Emma PERCIVAL are shot in Coach Street whilst being
followed by police officers.
ix. Derrick BIRD drives away from the scene and is lost from sight
of the police officers.
x. At the request of the FIM, the Tactical Firearms Commander
was made aware of the incident and asked to go to the Force
Control Room.
8.81 It is evident that what had started as a single incident reported to
involve an air-rifle, had quickly developed into one of multiple
murders involving what had internationally become known within
police circles as an Active Shooter situation.
8.82 Such situations are very rare in the UK and at the time of this incident
Active Shooter incidents were are only afforded a short reference in
training for AFO’s or Firearms Commanders. Largely as a result of
counter terrorism work, this has now been rectified.
8.83 It is also important to note that guidance and training for more routine
incidents, emphasises an orderly hand over of command between
FIM’s and dedicated Tactical Firearms Commanders.
8.84 The guidance sets out the criteria which should take place before
such transfer of command takes place. Incidents of this nature
highlight the need for someone to firmly grip the tasking and direction
of all (armed and unarmed) operational resources, irrespective of the
limited amount of information available, or the speed at which issues
are developing.
8.85 In the circumstances which presented itself, despite the arrival of the
Tactical Firearms Commander, the FIM continued to direct resources.
8.86 No criticism is levied at him for doing so, as it was for the Tactical
Firearms Commander to assess what was taking place and make the
operational decision to assert his command authority.
8.87 It is clear, however, that by the stage where Derrick BIRD had driven
off from the police officers that a very dangerous situation was in
existence involving Police and public safety.
8.88 Radio Command Channel
8.89 The FIM directed that all patrols in West Cumbria should change their
radio channel to “Egremont 1”.
THIS REPORT IS EMBARGOED
UNTIL 4PM MONDAY 28 TH MARCH 2011
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