Watchdog Rules Armed Police Actions in Arrest of Black Boy with Water Pistol Were Justified

Independent Office for Police Conduct found no evidence of misconduct but acknowledged the distress caused to the 13-year-old and his family.

A 13-year-old Black boy, referred to as Child X, was arrested by armed police in Hackney, east London, in July 2023 after officers mistook his water pistol for a firearm.
The police watchdog, Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), concluded that officers acted in line with guidance and found no evidence of racial bias or misconduct in the incident.
The boy was knocked off his bicycle by a police vehicle, handcuffed, and searched before being de-arrested when it was confirmed he had been playing with a toy water gun.
The IOPC acknowledged the incident was distressing for the child and his family, with the boy’s mother criticizing the investigation for failing to address potential racial bias in policing.
The Metropolitan Police apologized for the distress caused, stating that the response was based on a genuine concern about a potential firearm, highlighting the challenges officers face in such situations.