POLICE chief Sir Peter Fahy, is set to be prosecuted after an unarmed man was shot dead in Warrington by an officer.
Anthony Grainger, 36, (pictured) was shot in the chest in a car park at Culcheth after the stolen vehicle he was in was stopped.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) says there is “sufficient evidence” to prove the force broke health and safety laws.
But Mr Grainger’s family are said to be disappointed the police marksman was not being charged with murder.
Prosecutors have decided the officer who shot Mr Grainger on March 3 2012 should not face charges for murder, manslaughter or misconduct in public office because a jury would be likely to accept he believed his actions were necessary.
The Greater Manchester Police operation involved armed officers stopping a stolen Audi in a car park.
A bullet fired by an officer passed through the windscreen and hitting Mr Grainger in the chest.
The unarmed father of two from Bolton had been wrongly suspected of stealing a memory stick containing the names of police informants.
A CPS spokesman said: “It is alleged that there were serious deficiencies in the preparation for this operation that unnecessarily exposed individuals to risk.”
The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Sir Peter is accused of failing to discharge a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act as he is “corporation sole” for the force.
This is a legal status and means that he does not share criminal liability or will personally have to appear in court.
A GMP spokesman said it was “important that these legal processes are allowed to take their course unimpeded in order to seek a resolution for both the family of Mr Grainger and the force”.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is currently investigating the death but will not publish its findings until the legal proceedings have ended.
A hearing will be held at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on February 10
If convicted, the force could face an unlimited fine.
Police chief set to be prosecuted over Culcheth shooting
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
