Menezes marksmen: Let us return to duty

THE two police marksmen who shot dead Jean Charles de Menezes want to return to duty, it was revealed today.

Both officers agreed to stand down from armed operations during the inquest into the shooting of the Brazilian who was mistaken for a terrorism suspect. The jury returned an open verdict.

The pair, codenamed C12 and C2, agreed they should not be available for active duty while they were under scrutiny in the witness box.

However, police sources have told the Standard they want to get back to the job "they are paid and trained to do".

The two men are to hold talks with senior officers about going back out on specialist firearms operations in coming weeks. One option would be for them to take up a backroom role, training other marksmen.

Senior officers in Scotland Yard's CO19 firearms unit will make the final decision. One source said: "It is early days yet. They will not return until there is a face to face meeting, and it is decided they are up to the job - it will be a management decision."

Police leaders are meanwhile expected to reject calls for misconduct proceedings against the commanders of the operation. The Metropolitan Black Police Association has made a call for Mayor Boris Johnson to launch disciplinary action against Cressida Dick and John McDowall. The two senior officers were in charge of the operation that led to the shooting. MBPA chairman Alfred John said: "We are determined to highlight the lack of accountability."

Senior Met officers have accused the MBPA of using the tragedy as part of a campaign to discredit the force's leadership.

The Metropolitan Police Authority and the Independent Police Complaints Commission sources said it was unlikely either would launch a new inquiry.