The police watchdog reported that officers took “decisive action … at considerable risk to their own lives” when faced by a man who swung a sword at them while responding to a break-in.
Bryce Hodgson, a convicted stalker, also brandished a loaded crossbow at officers before being shot in the neck and chest on January 30 at a residence in Bywater Place, Southwark, southeast London.
An inquiry by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) ruled that the conduct of all officers engaged in the event, including the use of lethal force, were “justified, proportionate, and necessary”.
Officers were called to the residence at 5.07 a.m. after receiving multiple complaints of Hodgson, who was armed with three crossbows and knives, attempting to force entry.
He’d entered the house through the back door and was attempting to go into a bedroom where the residents had locked themselves.
I’d like to recognize the bravery displayed by all of the officers that attended, notably the two local response officers who entered the residence first, knowing an armed individual was still inside.
Mel Palmer, IOPC’s regional director
Two police officers arrived at the residence and saw broken glass and arrows near the front entrance. They had also heard banging from inside the property.
Officers confronted Sheffield resident Hodgson with a Taser and told him to “show his hands,” but he refused and swung the sword at them, according to the IOPC.
The cops were then joined by armed support and firearms officers, who entered the property about 5.15 a.m.
Hodgson did not follow orders before picking up a crossbow and aiming it at an officer, prompting one officer to fire two bullets, striking Hodgson in the neck and chest, according to the IOPC.
First aid was administered, but Hodgson was pronounced dead at 5.37 a.m.
Mel Palmer, IOPC regional director, said: “This was a tragic incident in which a man lost his life, and our thoughts are with Mr Hodgson’s family and everyone affected.”
“However, we believe that all officers’ actions in this incident, including the choice to use lethal force, were appropriate, proportionate, and necessary.
“I’d like to emphasize the bravery of all of the police who responded, especially the two local response officers who entered the property first, despite knowing there was an armed individual inside.
“They confronted Mr Hodgson, putting their lives in danger, and only withdrew when directed.
“Despite being threatened with a weapon, they maintained their professionalism and demonstrated their commitment to keeping the public safe even when their own safety was at risk.”
Investigators reviewed body-worn camera footage, received testimonies from officers, and listened to 999 calls and radio conversations to determine what transpired. The IOPC’s report will be shared with the coroner.
The probe also looked into the Met’s offender management of Hodgson, who was sentenced to a 16-week suspended jail term in July last year and told to complete 120 hours of unpaid work after being convicted of stalking.
The IOPC stated: “He was placed on bail and ordered to wear an electronic tag with the condition that he not enter the exclusion zone of SE16 except once, when he collected his belongings in the company of police on July 13, 2023, in accordance with his bail conditions.”
“Despite having alerted the Electronic Monitoring Service (EMS) of this authorized visit in advance, an alert was triggered, and he was arrested on July 18 for violating bail conditions.
“We are currently discussing with the Met on a learning recommendation to improve the present processes by conducting an additional check of police systems prior to arrest, in cases where bail conditions allow individuals to go a certain place in the company of police.
“The evidence indicates that nothing disclosed by Mr Hodgson on July 18, nor his behaviour, gave reason for any safeguarding concerns to be raised for him or the occupants of Bywater Place.”
Commander Charmain Brenyah, who is in charge of weapons policing in the Met, said: “We are happy that the IOPC judged our officers’ conduct appropriate and that they also highlighted the bravery of everybody involved.
“As well as acknowledging their professionalism, I too must also commend the officers for their bravery during this incident.”
Ms Brenyah stated that the two first responders “put their own lives at risk” to confront Hodgson, and that they “truly embody our key values of integrity and courage”.
“The armed officers also demonstrated incredible bravery,” she stated.
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