Met officers cleared of gross misconduct over shooting in South Wimbledon

Two Met firearms officers have been cleared of gross misconduct after shooting a man during an operation in Wimbledon in 2018.

Their disciplinary hearing followed an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Brooklyn McFarlane, who was 23, was injured after he was shot in the back in Haydons Road, South Wimbledon on December 3, 2018.

Met officers were conducting a pre-planned operation into a suspected attempt to commit a robbery in Haydons Road. Officers observed Mr McFarlane acting suspiciously near the scene.

Armed police officers attempted to apprehend him in Haccombe Road but he ran off along Haydons Road. He was pursued on foot by armed police officers and the two officers, who both mistakenly believed Mr McFarlane was carrying a gun, each fired their weapon once, with one bullet hitting Mr McFarlane in the back. 

The other shot missed him and most likely hit a nearby block of flats. Mr McFarlane continued to run before surrendering to armed officers in Lacock Close.

The officers gave him first aid before he was taken to hospital. He was discharged the following day following the removal of a police bullet.

The officers, known as NX1 and MY55 faced an allegation that their use of force breached the police standards of professional behaviour.

The IOPC launched an investigation in November 2019 and in January 2020, the file was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

This authorised a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent against officer NX1 and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent against officer MY55. 

On October 11, 2021, the officers were acquitted after the CPS offered no evidence against them on the first day of their trial. 

NX1 and MY55 were cleared today following a three-week hearing by the IOPC. 

IOPC regional director Mel Palmer said: “Although the CPS did not take a criminal case forward, we believed that there was enough evidence for a panel to consider whether the officers’ actions amounted to gross misconduct. 

“We didn’t come to this decision lightly, but we felt it was right that the evidence was heard in public at a hearing. 

“Although our investigation ended more than four years ago, we appreciate how long NX1 and MY55 have had to wait for these proceedings.”

In November 2022, Mr McFarlane was sentenced to 13 years in jail for conspiracy to commit robbery, weapons offences and handling stolen goods.

(Picture: The Met)