Response unit under fire
Police cars collided and an officer misfired a bullet during a series of blunders leading to a Staffordshire gunman having two fingers shot off.
Staffordshire Police's armed response unit has been rapped by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) for its tactics during an operation to disarm a man in Rugeley.
An investigation report raises concerns about a lack of communication between the officers and states they should have followed national guidelines about dealing with potentially irrational people more closely. The force has been advised to review its policies.
David Shepherd, aged 40, of Schoolfields Road, Shenstone was shot twice by police outside Hagley Park Sports College, Burnthill Lane, on August 18, last year.
He had sent a number of abusive and threatening texts to his ex-partner Christine Stewart – including a photo showing a handgun with the message 'are you ready to die?'
As officers arrived at the scene they saw Shepherd leaning out of his car window holding what appeared to be a handgun.
When Shepherd was arrested it was discovered the firearm was actually a ball bearing gun.
