What happens to officers if they fire their guns?
Each AFO is "individually responsible and accountable for their decisions and actions", according to College of Policing.
When police use their guns and it results in serious injury or death, there is a relatively long process of accountability.
A mandatory referral is made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which then carries out an investigation into the circumstances.
It can recommend a criminal investigation, which is prepared by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) before going to court.
The decision whether to launch misconduct or gross misconduct proceedings against the officer is referred back to the police force.
They will be suspended or put on restricted duties while they're ongoing and can ultimately see them sacked or having their rank reduced.
If someone has died, an inquest will likely be opened. The coroner doesn't launch criminal proceedings but can declare whether the person was unlawfully killed, which will result in a criminal case.
By contrast, AFOs have the right to refuse an order to use force or firearms and not face criminal or disciplinary proceedings.
If police chiefs are found to "know or should have known" their officers unlawfully used guns or force and didn't act to stop them, they can also be investigated.
