London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Two functioning Metropolitan Police officers and an ex-colleague have been charged with attacking a suspect they confined after a high-speed police car chase in northwest London.
PCs Matt Looker, Mark O’Shaughnessy and Jack Marks are charged with attacking Olwyn Evoloko on Laddereswood Way, Barnet Mr Evoloko allegedly ran from police on foot following a fail-to-stop vehicle search on the A406 North Circular Road. Force was employed to detain Mr Evoloko during his detention on a housing estate close to New Southgate and Arnos Vale Tube stations on March 14.
Scotland Yard’s Directorate of Professional Standards made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct watchdog in May. Looker, 26, O’Shaughnessy, 34, and Marks, 26, were all deployed to the North West Command Unit. Looker and O’Shaughnessy remain on limited duties while Marks has quit his job at Charing Cross Police Station. They are due before Westminster Magistrates’ Court following charges charged by the Crown Prosecution Service.
An IOPC spokesman stated: “The charges connected to an incident on March 14, when officers allegedly used force to detain a man who fled from police on foot following a vehicle pursuit in northwest London. Our investigation started following a mandatory referral from the Met Police in May. In August, we referred a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, who authorised the charges.”
How did the Metropolitan Police react to the event?
The Met said: “Three police officers who confined a man following an incident in March 2024 will appear in court accused of assault. PC Matt Looker, PC Mark O’Shaughnessy and ex-PC Jack Marks, who were all deployed to the North West Command Unit at the time of the happening, will occur at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on October 7 charged with attack by beating.
This follows an incident when a vehicle was halted on the A406 in northwest London on March 14. A man was detained and charged by officers. The Directorate of Professional Standards made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct which carried out an independent investigation into the possibilities. The two officers who remain in service are on limited duties.”