EuroCOP says it “fully supports” the Gibraltar Police Federation in the support of their members at this time. 

Below follows a statement from the European Confederation of Police:

The European Confederation of Police (EuroCOP) believes it is right and proper  that whenever any death or serious injury occurs after police contact that the  events should be subject to independent investigation. EuroCOP believes that  such independent investigations are crucial for the maintenance of public  confidence in the police, and fully respects those involved in such investigations  and the burden they carry. 

The deaths of Mohamed Abdeslam Ahmed and Mustafa Dris Mohamed following  a collision with a Royal Gibraltar Police Interceptor on the 8th of March in a tragedy  and our condolences are extended to the family.  

EuroCOP supports the Gibraltar Police Federation (GPF) and their legitimate  concerns over the finding of unlawful killing in this case.  

The officers from the Royal Gibraltar Police were responding to a direct request  from colleagues in Spain to assist in bringing suspects of serious criminality to  justice.  

This finding will have significant implications for the cross jurisdictional fight  against international serious and organised crime for the whole of Europe. Police  officers need to know they will have the support of their leaders when acting in  good faith to prevent the importation of drugs and other illegal items through the  southern shores of Europe.  

The spontaneous and dynamic fight against international serious organised  criminality does not and should not be hindered by bureaucratic process, and the  public would not accept that drug traffickers are simply ignored if on the wrong  side of an imaginary line in the sea. 

That senior officers from the Royal Gibraltar Police did not speak in support of  their colleagues, or provide critical context on operational practicality is reprehensible. We believe that had they done so, the jury may well have reached  a different conclusion. 

EuroCOP fully supports the GPF in the support of their members at this time.