Page last updated at 07:30 GMT, Thursday, 12 June 2008 08:30 UK

Chief's tribute to shot officer

Acting Chief Constable Dave Whatton
Dave Whatton praised Pc Terry for his professionalism

The Acting Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, Dave Whatton, has paid tribute to Pc Ian Terry, who was shot dead by a colleague during training.

The 32-year-old was shot in the chest at a disused warehouse in Newton Heath on Monday.

Mr Whatton said he had "a deserved reputation for professionalism, competency and credibility as a specialist firearms officer".

The family of Pc Terry, from Burnley, Lancashire, said he lived for his job.

He was described as "the best dad" to his two children, Lauren, four, and John, three, in a tribute released by his family and wife Joanne.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is carrying out an investigation into the incident, in which Pc Terry was playing the role of a criminal in a getaway car.

Pc Ian Terry and family (Pic GMP)
Pc Terry leaves a wife, Joanne, and two children Lauren and John

It said officers were using Round Irritant Personnel (Rip) rounds, which are designed to stop vehicles containing armed criminals.

When fired, the rounds release a blast of CS gas at high pressure, but in this instance they were filled with a white powder.

Mr Whatton said Pc Terry was involved in a dangerous operation last week, where a number of firearms were recovered and two suspects from an international crime organisation were caught.

He said: "Ian was an extremely experienced firearms officer who, in his six years on the unit, progressed from serving on armed response teams to the highest level of specialist firearms operations, having passed with flying colours all of the stringent tests and top-level training expected of officers in this role.

"Ian always went the extra mile to support his colleagues and protect the people of Greater Manchester.

"As with lots of other police officers, this impacted on his personal life and he could not have been the first-class police officer he was without their love and support."

He said he was not aware of anything that the officer did that could be seen to have contributed to his death.

The force has suspended some of its firearms training following the death of Pc Terry.

Officers will no longer take part in exercises involving Rip rounds until the outcome of the IPCC inquiry.

Police suspend firearms training
11 Jun 08 |  Manchester
Pc hit with 'getaway car' shell
10 Jun 08 |  Manchester
Dead Pc was 'shot by colleague'
10 Jun 08 |  Manchester
Policeman shot dead in training
09 Jun 08 |  Manchester

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