Fatal shooting police 'acted in line with training'

Sergii Kuzmenko was pronounced dead at the scene

Officers involved in the fatal shooting of a man acted in line with their training, the police watchdog found.

Firearms officers were called to a property in the Botcherby area of Carlisle in December 2022 to reports of a man making threats to kill while young children were present.

Two armed officers told investigators they believed there was an imminent threat to a child's life when they fired seven shots and killed Sergii Kuzmenko.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said there was no indication officers may have breached professional standards or committed a criminal offence.

Mr Kuzmenko, 40, suffered injuries to his head and chest and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The IOPC's investigation found seven shots were fired by two officers.

It said both told investigators they were acting under the belief there was an imminent threat to the child’s life.

'Tremendously difficult'

IOPC regional director Catherine Bates offered her sympathy to Mr Kuzmenko's family and friends.

She said: "It will have undoubtedly been a tremendously difficult time and we appreciate their patience and understanding while we have carried out this very thorough investigation."

She added the evidence they gathered showed officers acted swiftly to protect a child.

"We found the decision to shoot Mr Kuzmenko was in line with all relevant training and guidance in those circumstances," she said.

“While police shootings are, thankfully, rare it is understandable that people will be concerned when it does happen and therefore it is important a detailed and robust investigation is conducted to fully understand the circumstances that led up to it.”

A full report will be published after an inquest into the death of Mr Kuzmenko has been heard by a coroner. A date has not yet been released.

A Cumbria police spokesman said: "We acknowledge the findings from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation, whilst proceedings are ongoing within the coronial process we are not in a position to comment further on the incident."