Law enforcement praised following crossbow assault

The independent police oversight body has commended armed police personnel who discharged a firearm at an individual after he wounded one of their fellow officers with a crossbow. On May 10, armed police units were dispatched to School Close in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, following reports of a stabbing incident involving two males. Jason King, 54, residing at School Close, subsequently admitted guilt to a charge of grievous bodily harm with intent, related to his act of shooting PC Curtis Foster with a crossbow. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) stated that the officers, who subsequently shot King in the stomach, had “acted courageously and professionally in bringing the incident to a satisfactory conclusion”. Approximately at 18:00 BST on May 10, King engaged in a dispute with a neighbor, a man in his sixties, whom he stabbed in the abdomen. Upon the arrival of unarmed officers, King fired a crossbow at them from his window. He then exited his residence before striking PC Foster in the leg with a crossbow bolt. Following the arrival of armed police at the location, they shot King in the stomach. He was transported to a hospital, released after 10 days, and subsequently faced charges. On September 20, at Aylesbury Crown Court, King also entered guilty pleas for affray, possession of an offensive weapon, and possession of a bladed article. His sentencing is scheduled for January. Additionally, a member of the public sustained injuries at the site, prompting a mandatory referral to the IOPC. Tim Metcalfe, the assistant chief constable for Thames Valley Police, affirmed that all actions taken by the involved officers, including the shots discharged, “were fully justified, proportionate and necessary”. The IOPC reported that “no conduct issues” were found concerning any officer. The IOPC examined police body-worn cameras, radio communications, mobile phone video recordings from members of the public, and statements from witnesses. Mel Palmer, the regional director for the IOPC, stated that the officers were confronting “a dangerous man”. She further commented, “This was a frightening incident for the officers involved and I want to recognise their courage, professionalism and sound judgement under pressure.”