Abstract
The police use of lethal force has always been a controversial subject; and its use in Northern Ireland has attracted particular attention following allegations in the past of a ‘shoot to kill’ policy and the use of plastic bullets.
David Wood is the Executive Director for the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland (PONI) and in his article, derived from a speech delivered to a conference in Belfast in November 2003, he explains how independent investigation of the police use of lethal force in Northern Ireland has brought a new dimension to police accountability. The article demonstrates the benefits and impact of external scrutiny in improved procedures adopted by the police, leading to the reduced use of such force, and improved policy for all.
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