IOPC findings following William Smith inquest conclusion

An Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation, conducted following the fatal police shooting of William Smith, found the Kent Police response was appropriate in the circumstances.

The independent investigation determined the Kent Police officers who fatally shot Mr Smith, 36, used force that was reasonable and proportionate.

An inquest jury at County Hall, in Maidstone on Wednesday 2 December, returned a finding of lawful killing.

On Sunday 1 May 2016, Kent Police carried out a planned firearms operation at Crowbourne Orchard, Smiths Lane, Goudhurst, to arrest Mr Smith, 36, who was wanted in connection with a number of incidents.

In line with the IOPC investigation findings, the inquest jury found that during this police operation, Mr Smith was located by officers in a pre-constructed barricade in a shed. When the officers opened the shed door, Mr Smith was pointing a single barrelled shotgun in the direction of the officers and did not respond to police warnings. Mr Smith was shot by two firearms officers and subsequently died of his injuries.

Immediately following the shooting, our investigators attended both the scene in Goudhurst, to oversee forensic examinations, and the police post incident procedure at Maidstone Police Station.

During the investigation, which concluded in June 2017, we examined ballistic evidence, obtained statements from the officers involved in the shooting and from officers who were involved in commanding the police operation. The officers involved were treated as witnesses throughout the investigation.

IOPC Regional Director Graham Beesley said: “Our thoughts remain with all those affected by this tragic incident. We provided our investigation report to Mr Smith’s family, Kent Police and HM Coroner when our investigation concluded in 2017 and we assisted the inquest by providing the evidence we gathered.

“Fatal police shootings are rare but when they do happen it is important we establish all of the circumstances. The available evidence was analysed in great detail in drawing our conclusion that the officers response was reasonable and proportionate. That evidence was provided to the inquest into Mr Smith’s death and a jury has now determined that he was lawfully killed.”