Between the Lines (1992) s01e02 Episode Script

# Happy birthday, dear Christopher # Happy birthday to # This is the police.
Go away! - Mikey! - Put it down.
- Mikey! - Put it down! Drop the gun.
Do it! Do it! Put the gun down.
- This isn't real, man.
- Put the gun down.
You're a bunch of shits! - Drop the gun! - Do it.
Do it! Put the gun dow Keep back, for your own safety.
we don't want anyone hurt.
For your own safety, keep back, please.
Thank you.
Keep back, for your own safety now.
Keep back behind the police lines.
A very serious incident has occurred.
Stop that milk float! Move those kids back.
Thanks very much.
OK, ladies and gentlemen, for your own safety, please keep back.
Superintendent Clark.
I've just been bleeped.
Clark? No, I don't.
Yes.
Yes.
Fine.
- Can we have a statement? - Just a word, Chief Super A press conference has been arranged for 11.
Just to clear up any confusion, was this bloke armed or unarmed? A handgun has been recovered from the scene.
Isn't this another case of police overreaction on the Sowerville? Larry, as a respected journalist you should know it's far too early to make assumptions of that nature.
Morning.
DCS John Deakin, the CIB investigation officer.
- Chief Superintendent Jameson? - Yes.
And Inspector Tom Reith, Duty Officer.
Detective Superintendent Tony Clark is going to run the investigation.
Let me just say that if there's anything you want, just say the word.
The only thing I want is your full cooperation, sir.
- That goes without saying.
- Oh, I don't know, sir.
Things are never best left unsaid.
Better to be up-front from the start.
- Saves a lot of confusion later on.
- Absolutely.
- Right.
PCA here yet? - No.
Can you give me an account, as you understand it, of what took place? Perhaps Inspector Reith would be best suited.
He was on the scene.
The caller stated that a man called Brandell was attempting to gain access to a flat, a young woman and child supposedly inside.
The man was armed and creating a disturbance.
- who was first on the scene? - PCs Farrow and Morford, sir.
- In the area car.
- And they found what? They came straight along the landing and saw Brandell outside the flat.
He pointed the gun in their direction and told them to piss off.
- what did they do? - well, they took his advice.
- This was what time? - Just after 6:30.
They contacted the Yard, who authorised the use of the armed-response vehicle.
- which arrived when? - Ten to seven, sir.
what level of threat did you depict Brandell as presenting? we didn't blow it out of proportion.
But we knew we were dealing with a man who wasn't afraid to use a gun.
Right.
That's you done, then.
Cheers, mate.
- Any attempt to establish dialogue? - I tried negotiating via loudhailer.
- what was his response? - well, he shouted abuse.
Paced back and forth a lot and hammered on the door of number 28.
Did you make contact with the occupants? we tried by phone but the number was unobtainable.
So you briefed the shots, who took up position where? Either end Mind your feet.
It's a bit slippy there, sir.
Constable webb was in Blackwell House, on the same landing.
Just ten feet in from the central stair.
Constable Jelks was to the right of Brandell, in half cover on this stairwell.
You had the best vantage point to observe what happened? I was watching Brandell.
My attention was on him.
So what did you see? while Inspector Reith was talking to him, Brandell started shouting back.
Couldn't make out what.
Then he began to walk to where George Constable webb was positioned.
Brandell's gun was pointing straight ahead like this and he's shouting all the time.
There followed three shots, fairly rapid, and Brandell went down.
who fired? My understanding is Rather, I have since been informed, that two rounds were discharged by Constable webb and a single round was discharged by Constable Jelks.
That would be consistent with the muck, two shots from the same direction? Yes, but we'll have to hang fire on the PM to get it in black and white.
Forensic ballistics coming from Lambeth? - Team's been dispatched, yeah.
- Poor sod.
well, he knew the score.
You point a gun at someone, odds are you're gonna be taken out the game.
I was referring to the officer who fired the shots.
- Bloody good shot.
- well, they're professionals.
Know their onions.
No messing.
Ding! And good night, Vienna.
I was thinking of putting in for it myself.
Piss off! Getting shot at for 200 sovs a week? Aah, you don't let it get that far.
Make sure you get in there first.
Nah, sod that for a game of soldiers.
Councillor Everett might want to make political capital out of this.
- You'd better let me deal with Red Eddie.
- It's your officers that might have to.
Are you suggesting that I kowtow to a troublemaker like Everett? Get that moved.
Move! Come on.
Christ, John.
You start down that road, tugging your forelock to every Trot that has a dig, we're on a hiding to nothing.
It wouldn't hurt to try to assure the community, relieve some tension.
I appreciate your concern and I don't wish to labour the point but I know this patch.
I know the people that live here, how they feel.
Give them an inch, they'll thieve a yard.
And that's not ground I can afford to lose.
Bring Mr Lowry the PCA man up to the Brandells' flat.
Hello? - Constable.
- Yeah? - what's your name? - Andy.
- Andy what? - Andy Underwood.
- who lives here? - Dunno.
This is the flat Michael Brandell was trying to get into? - who? - Him.
Oh, him.
Yeah.
Yeah.
where are the woman and child who are meant to be here? - Search me.
- what? Sorry, mate, I've only just got here.
Could you find them for me? I'm gonna want to talk to them.
whoa.
And who are you? Detective Superintendent Clark.
CIB.
Oh.
Sorry, sir.
I thought you were SOCO Find them for me.
There's a good boy.
Yes, sir.
Right away, sir.
- Sir.
- Yeah.
PCA member's arrived, sir.
wants to know if you'll go see the family with him.
Chief Superintendent Deakin's handling the PCA side.
Already gone to the station with Mr Jameson, sir.
Press conference.
- They've been informed, have they? - Yes, sir.
All right.
what is it, mother and father? And a younger brother, I believe.
Vernon.
Ah.
Got everything you need, John? Yeah.
Just reading Michael Brandell's biography.
won't spoil it for you if I tell you how it ends? - Busy boy, wasn't he? - Scrote of the first water.
- Thorn in our flesh for years.
- Yeah.
Yes.
Look, John, we're due up in a couple of minutes.
Oh, yeah.
All set, is it? Many in? Like flies to shit, John.
Morning.
Flies to shit, standing room only.
Er, look John.
Out with it.
I'm going to be made to look a right prick in there.
- why, what's the matter? - Foul-up on the communication front.
- what sort of a foul-up? - well, some soppy plonk passed me the wrong info.
You know what they're like.
Sitting on their fannies all day thinking about cock.
The long and the short of it is that Brandell's gun was a replica, a flaming replica.
Can you believe it? Talk about having the last laugh, huh? what a joke.
Yeah.
Boom-boom.
Perhaps we should come back when you're less upset.
Be all right to have him in here, will it? So people can You know, his friends, like.
Pay their respects.
As soon as we've released him any arrangements you want to make It's down to you.
It's your decision, Mr Brandell.
will will we be able to have it open? The the coffin.
Maybe in the circumstances a closed casket No! I want it open.
I want people to see what you've done to him! As I said, it's your decision.
If there's anything you want, any information I mean, Mr Lowry will keep you informed but if there's anything I can do.
Anyway, we won't take up any more of your time.
- No! - Mum, I'm sorry, I didn't know! - what's going on? - Michael? You said you'd shot him! I was told the body was Michael Brandell's.
what you talking about? I'm Michael Brandell! It's Vernon, Mum.
They shot Vernon.
You! You didn't even know, you bastard! You didn't even bother to find out who you killed! Mr Jameson, could not the officer have shot to disable this man? As I've said before, that's something that lives in cowboy fiction but not in the real world.
Police officers are trained to return fire to the upper torso.
There is no such thing as shooting to disable.
- Yes.
Larry.
- You said "return fire".
Erm, could you tell us now if there is any truth in the speculation that the firearm which Michael Brandell was alleged to have been in possession of was in fact a replica? It It is now my understanding that the weapon in question was in fact incapable of firing.
So the police shot an unarmed man? Gentlemen, you must look at the specific situation.
At a distance, in the half light, I doubt whether even you could tell the difference between a real handgun and a replica.
Chief Superintendent Gentlemen, I understand developments have taken place which preclude the furtherance of this press conference.
Have you spoken to the Brandell family? Yes, by telephone.
Michael Brandell made it clear to me that the police thought they had shot him and not his brother.
The police must be brought to book over this outrage.
A shoot-to-kill policy such as is espoused by Chief Superintendent Jameson is tantamount to a declaration of war on the Sowerville Estate.
And let me assure you, if it's war the police want it's war they'll get.
well it's not the end of the world, is it? Ah, Tony.
Come in.
welcome to Coverdale Road.
would you like a drink? I would like someone to tell me what is going on, if it's not too much frigging trouble.
- Just a minute, Tony.
- Steady on, old son.
I've been talking it through with your guv'nor well, now you can talk it through with me, can't you? Not sure I like your tone, Tony.
what you like is neither here nor there.
You're on very thin ice, Superintendent.
Superintendent? Pulling rank now, is it? well, I don't give a shit how many pips you're wearing.
John, have a word with your boy.
He's beginning to piss me right off.
I can't do my job with one hand tied behind my back.
- There's ways and ways.
- No.
I have been fed nothing but bullshit since I arrived.
Quote.
Michael Brandell was trying to get into a flat containing a woman and child.
Unquote.
It is now clear that at that time there was nobody in the flat! My team is out there trying to find this woman.
If she exists at all.
- The phone call.
- You told the press at the estate that Brandell was armed, that a handgun had been recovered.
- And it was a replica? - I didn't say it wasn't.
- You didn't say it was.
- I hadn't had the official verdict.
I was asked a question.
I answered with the facts available to me.
I don't care.
You don't lie to me.
In two days it won't matter who died, whether he was armed, none of it! Vernon Brandell will be yesterday's news, fish-and-chip paper.
You didn't know who we'd shot.
No.
But I know you.
I know you, Clark.
And I know you're trying to make a name for yourself.
well, let me tell you something, laddie! You're not gonna stick it up our arse because we won't roll over and play dead.
All right? Vernon Brandell.
DOB 1403 '75.
Previous.
1989, TDA.
Unlawful possession of Class B controlled drugs.
Mandrax, cannabis, cannabis resin.
Referred to Social.
May '90.
Unlawful supply, Class B controlled drugs.
Cannabis.
Case dismissed.
August '91, assault while resisting arrest.
Three months' youth custody.
Jan '92, unlawful supply Class B blah blah.
Cannabis resin.
Case dismissed.
Last week they had him in for causing affray.
Case pending.
Cheers, Pam.
It's all a bit pissy.
well, he wasn't the full shilling, was he? Social had him pinned as educationally subnormal.
Mental age of 12 and he was epileptic.
- Oh, wonderful.
- I should think we've done him a favour.
what? Kill or cure? Excuse me, ma'am, where can I find Chief Superintendent Clark? It's Superintendent Clark, in fact.
But yes.
well, let's take the good news to the guv'nor then, shall we? You made a pig's ear of things with Jameson.
He could wank for England.
Last way to play a bloke like that is to steam in.
- Use a bit of kidology.
- He needed a slap.
- Time and a place.
- Made me feel better.
That's as may be.
But it's not what the job's about.
People like him didn't make Chief Superintendent because their face fitted.
They're career coppers, same as you and me.
And they've got friends.
All right? I know you've not got many flying hours in yet but drop a bollock when you're with us, could be a blot on your copybook for the rest of your days.
I shouldn't have to tell you this.
As far as Jameson goes Jesus! Found the woman and kid, guv.
Back at the flat.
All right.
I'm sorry.
I know this is upsetting but these questions have to be asked.
Oh, you know, do you? You know? who's gonna pay for Darren now? who's gonna feed and clothe him? Are you? - Did he have a key to the flat? - No.
You've no idea where he might have got the gun from? Out of a cornflakes packet, where d'you think? - Yeah? - Colin Ferber? - Yeah.
You come about the video? - That's right.
It's all right, Mum, it's for me.
You got my 500, then? You have got the money? No, I've got a warrant.
DS McAIlister, Complaints Investigation Bureau.
I thought you was from the telly.
I rung the news.
They rang us.
D'you wanna get the video? Yeah, all right, then.
But I want a receipt, something official.
To say I let you have it.
I was counting on paying for a new bike.
- what's all this? - All what, sir? All this.
You tooling up for the Relief of Mafeking? we're just on standby, sir.
Best to be prepared for any eventuality.
This is your guv'nor's idea of a low profile, is it? we must maintain a presence, otherwise people will think we've lost our bottle.
But on a day like today a little discretion wouldn't go amiss.
we can't have anyone thinking the Sowerville's a no-go area, sir.
Sir.
I've a message from Chief Superintendent Jameson, sir.
He told me to ask you, in your own interest of course if you're going onto the estate after dark, could you tell us first, please? He doesn't want you going in without uniformed backup.
You see, while you're on our ground he feels a certain responsibility for your safety sir.
Evening, Sergeant.
- what's this? - The main event.
Run it back.
Er, not this bit, guv.
# dear Christopher, happy birthday to # - Here we go.
- Go away! who took it? Kid from Calloway House.
- what did he say? - Run it back.
No, when it's finished.
Come on! won't be sending this to Jeremy Beadle.
what's he doing? He's just given him the kiss of death.
He's trying to balance the sheet with the kiss of life.
# Dee dee dee dee dee, that's all, folks # won't be long, mate.
All right? Oh! Oh! Turn that shit off.
Oh! I want one of these tapes on every block of the estate by tomorrow morning.
In my opinion, the killing of Vernon Brandell is nothing short of murder.
- I never said nothing.
- Don't worry.
It's all right.
- You handled it.
- He knew.
He knew nothing, he's a copper.
Piss rings round shit like that.
You're a bunch of shits! Please.
Put your gun down.
isn't real, man.
Put your gun down.
isn't real, man.
- Please.
Put your gun down.
- This isn't real, man.
Are you coming to bed tonight or what? Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you.
I haven't been asleep.
- what were you watching? - A video.
Shooting.
why don't you knock it on the head and come up? I will in a bit.
The sound's terrible.
I was trying to get down what he was saying.
He was a nutter.
That's what they said on the news.
- A gun freak.
- I don't know about nutter.
He was backward.
But all his previous was for petty drug offences.
what he was doing arsing about with a gun I don't know.
Something sent him off the deep end.
what was he doing there, then? - Trying to see his ex.
- There you are.
No, you don't just turn up on someone's doorstep at dawn - for no reason, waving a gun.
- Maybe they'd fallen out.
- Not according to her.
- She might be lying.
I'm sure she is.
But what about? That's the question.
I'm pretty certain she's got another bloke on the go.
Maybe this Vernon had heard about it and got jealous.
No, it doesn't sit right.
They split 18 months ago.
To suddenly go off the rails now? No.
I don't buy it.
well, look, you're the detective.
I'll leave you to it.
Sue.
what's up, love? what is it? I thought I'd see more of you when you joined Complaints, not less! - That's not fair.
You know what it's like.
- Yeah.
I know what it's like, all right.
Shit.
The position I was in was an absolute bastard.
There was shit all over the stairs.
Bird shit.
The rain had made it slippy as hell.
There was water running down the walls where I stood.
It was very awkward.
From where I was, I couldn't get a clear line on the target.
well, at least not one that I could sustain for any length of time.
So I just had to keep walking down a couple of steps and sneak a quick look and back again.
Like I say, it was very awkward.
So what happened? well, Brandell was walking towards George.
which meant that he had his back to me.
And so, er And so I thought that maybe I could risk a quick dekko.
And I, erm D'you want a break? I wouldn't mind a bit of air.
OK, take your time.
I get my head and my right arm round the wall.
Got a line on Brandell.
He's walking towards George, pointing his gun.
Giving it, "You bastards.
You effing this, you effing that.
" And it's in my head.
I'm thinking, "He's gonna shoot.
Oh, shit, he's really gonna do it.
"This isn't a simulation.
I'm not out at Lippitts Hill.
"This is for real and I'm gonna have to take him out.
" I'm thinking, "Don't make me do this, you bastard!" And I'm taking up the strain on the trigger.
He's walking towards George.
The gun's weighing like about 20 tons.
And I start to move down to get a better angle.
And there's water on the wall.
Bird shit.
I slip on the bird shit.
My foot slips down the step and bang! As I'm getting me balance back, I look down the walkway and there's shots and the back of his flaming head's coming off.
All right.
I wanna take you back.
Vernon's standing on the walkway, shouting.
He's effing and blinding.
Can you remember any of the things he was saying? Just just swearing.
- Nothing else? - Not that I remember clearly.
See, some bod off Calloway House caught the whole thing on video.
- Did they? - Yeah.
That's why I'm asking.
The sound's well iffy, but there is a bit where Vernon seems to be saying something like, "It isn't real, man.
" "It isn't real.
" words to that effect.
Can you remember him saying that? Not "it isn't".
"This.
" "This isn't real, man.
" what d'you think he meant by that? I must have taken it that he was referring the situation he was in.
You didn't think he might have meant the gun? The gun wasn't real? You don't think? I mean No.
If I'd have thought that at the time then No.
I can't have thought that.
No.
I understand you haven't been with the unit very long.
Is that right? Yesterday was my seventh op.
Lucky seven.
- well, he's in a bad way.
- He'll get over it.
Right, one down, one to go.
On to webb now? Yeah.
I'd like you to sit this one out, Harry.
Any particular reason? There's no need to steam in mob-handed.
Just me and Mo will do.
Right.
whatever you say.
You're the guv'nor.
what does he mean, guv, he fired four shots? He fired two.
Shock, innit? Thought-blocking.
Sorry about that.
That's the 13th time since yesterday.
Don't worry.
Must have an arsehole the size of a frying pan by now.
Can't do anything about it.
woof and you've gotta get there.
- So if I suddenly rush off - Right.
- Right.
where were we? - You were getting into cover - on the walkway.
- The walkway.
Right.
I was in half cover.
I could have popped him at any time.
I didn't really think he was up for it, though.
Not quite the type.
And when did you re-evaluate that opinion? I suppose when he started to walk towards me.
I held back and held back but he kept on coming.
His gun was up.
There was a shot.
I felt a bullet go past me and - took him out the game.
- what was he shouting at you? - He kept going on about his keys.
- His keys? I thought his missus had locked him out.
"where's my key?" he kept shouting.
"where's my key?" we thought we heard him say something like, "This isn't real.
" Yeah.
Yeah, he did.
He said, "Oh, this isn't real, man.
" - what did you take him to mean? - His predicament.
- You don't think he meant his gun? - No.
Look, if that's what he was trying to say, and I don't believe that he was, he should've chucked the bloody thing away.
Over the walkway, on the ground.
But not keep holding it, pointed at me.
what did you do when he went down? I dunno, haven't got a clue.
It's blank.
Gone.
Next thing I remember is having a cup of tea back at the station.
Right.
So how do things stand at the moment? Erm, what's happening, exactly? well, none of this is on the record yet, George.
we'll take your official statement when you're up to it.
But, well, I shouldn't worry about things.
I wouldn't want any of this to come back on Jelksy.
He's a good bloke.
His discharge.
If it hadn't happened, I'd have taken Brandell out anyway.
Neither of us knew he might as well have been pointing his dick at us.
To us, it was a real gun.
A real threat.
If I'd hesitated and that had been the case, it might have been me that died.
For God's sake, Harry, it's like fog in here.
Nothing said by either Jelks or webb contradicts the video evidence.
This business of Vernon shouting, "This isn't real", as to their interpretation of that, we can only go on their word.
It'd be very difficult to prove they believed it was a fake and still fired.
- So we're taking it at face value? - There's nothing much else we can do.
- Right.
So that's it, then? - No.
I wanna know where the replica came from and why Vernon was doing his pieces.
But that's just whys and wherefores, isn't it? Our brief is to find out whether webb and Jelks are on the level.
Yeah, I know what our brief is.
where the gun came from is a matter for the local CID, innit? - I wanna know.
- why? Mo, will you get me a coffee, please? white, two sugars.
Look, I'm just trying to wise you up, guv.
That's my job.
Mr Deakin - He isn't running the investigation.
- He's down as IR.
It is me who's compiling the initial report, looking after it on the ground.
If the shit hits the fan, the buck will be passed to yours truly.
So when I say I wanna know where the gun came from I mean I wanna know where - Michael Brandell, guv? - Shit.
Yeah.
DS Roper, sir.
Lan Roper.
Officer in charge of the Michael Brandell hold-ups.
- My guv'nor said you wanted a word.
- Yeah.
Take a pew.
- So, how can I help? - Tell me about these two robberies.
One off-licence, one garage.
why d'you have Michael in the frame? Customer in the garage identified him.
Then withdrew the statement.
Said they couldn't be sure.
we had two frames from the security camera.
Nothing on the face.
He was masked.
But we got a good shot of the gun.
we give his flat the once-over.
- You couldn't find the gun? - That's about it.
No gun, no mask, no nothing.
No, thanks.
Just a decidedly iffy ID.
we were mugged and buggered.
Take that to the CPS, they'd have told us to take a long walk off the proverbial.
You didn't think he might have given the gun to someone? Of course we did.
That was bleedin' obvious.
But no one off the Sowerville was gonna grass on an evil little shit like Mikey.
Not if they didn't fancy sucking their Sunday joint through a straw.
- So was that it? - It's still open.
we give V-V-Vernon a tug.
Leant on him a bit.
You tried to get him to inform on his own brother? we had 30-odd burglaries would have suited Vernon down to the ground.
So we put it to him.
All in jest, like.
He comes across with Mikey, we don't stiff him with the burglaries.
You threatened to verbal him up for a string of burglaries unless he put the black on Michael? In a joking sort of way.
- And? - And nothing.
As far as Vern was concerned, Mikey had a solar ring-piece.
You couldn't have got him to come in on his brother, not if his life depended on it.
Echo 4 to base.
Inform Siegfried - subjects arriving Sowerville 21:47.
Repeat.
Inform Siegfried - subjects on site, heading to flats.
Good.
Fine.
who is it? Mrs Redbury from Calloway House.
we've had a collection for Vernon.
It might come in 'andy with Darren.
Hang on a minute.
- If he's not here we can wait.
- Lying cow! who was Daddy's best boy, then, eh? - I didn't know who they was, Mikey.
- Don't worry.
- You got a warrant? - Don't be silly.
You can piss off out of there, then, can't you? Past Junior's bedtime, innit? Go with her.
Grow up, son.
Playtime's over.
I could stamp on you so you no longer shit straight.
So let's have no more old bollocks about warrants, eh? How long you been shagging her? who says I am? I'm protecting the mother of my brother's kid.
- whose kid? - Prove it.
Oh, I will prove it.
And a lot more besides.
I'm getting an itemised list of all the phone calls made from your flat.
wouldn't it be funny if I found you'd called Coverdale Road nick yesterday? - Just after six, would it be? - Don't know nothing.
what's the odds we find your prints on the gun? Maybe he showed it to me one time.
Maybe I handled it then.
what you gonna charge me with? Making a phone call? Conspiracy to murder.
If you'd told them the gun was a replica, Vernon would still be alive.
Even if it does come out that I made that call, I was looking out for Julie and the kid, wasn't I? I was protecting them.
I was torn, wasn't I? This whole estate will be behind me.
Kid's life in danger.
Had to make that call.
There was never any threat to either of them.
- It was you he was after.
- No, mate.
Oh, yes, mate.
The shots got it wrong.
They thought he was shouting about his keys.
"where's my key?" But it wasn't his keys, was it? "where's Mikey?" He thought you were in his flat.
You'll never make it stick.
I'll make it stick, you shit.
I'll make it stick till your eyes water.
You murdered Vernon just as if you'd pulled the trigger yourself.
And for what? For a poke.
- Guv - I am gonna hang him out to dry.
- It's not down to us.
- I'm gonna have him.
It is not our brief.
If CID decide to prosecute, that's fine, but it is not our decision.
Christ Almighty! Urgent.
Assistance.
serious disturbance.
Urgent.
Assistance.
This is gonna need sorting.
Fast.
Chief Superintendent's regards, sir.
These officers will provide you with safe escort.
I told you not to come on here without backup, you stupid sod.
You see, the way we deal with bastards like this on my patch is we show them a big stick and then we hit them with it.
In my book, in a situation like this, that's what I'd call reasonable force.
Of course, he was a pretty piss-poor example.
But all right for demonstration purposes.
You've been out of the sharp end for too long, Tony.
I'm as liberal as you, old cock.
But in a situation like this, we do the necessary.
Mm? It's only my thin blue line, God bless it, that stops that lot from strangling you in your sleep.
- Nearly, sir.
- Sergeant? - we're regaining control, sir.
- Very good.
Inform Her Majesty that the Union Jack and the white ensign are once again flying over the Sowerville Estate.
The reserve officer said you were back.
Yeah.
I'm sorry I'm late.
I I got held up.
I know.
what the hell have you been playing at? - How d'you mean? - You lose a motor.
You nearly start the worst civil disorder since the poll tax.
I understand the investigation was in the bag by tea time.
why were you back on the estate? It's all down to Michael Brandell.
He set his brother up.
I wasn't aware that he was a serving officer.
Sir? D'you want me to spell it out for you? we're not interested in Brandell.
we're interested in Jelks and webb.
- But - You're not CID now.
You're CIB.
we don't soil our hands on slag like Brandell.
It's not our job.
we're here to paper over the cracks, not drive wedges into them.
I give you a job, tell you where to dig.
It's X marks the spot.
You don't dig to the left of it or the right.
You dig where I tell you.
Nowhere else.
where I tell you.
Understand? - Sir.
- Good.
Now for the bad news.
Huxtable wants to see us.
I don't see why we should be sidetracked into worrying why Jameson acted as he did in the media aftermath.
what about the actual incident itself? You've seen the video.
The question is, did the firearms officers act correctly? And did they? webb thought he was returning Brandell's fire.
Jelks' shot hit the wall and ricocheted past webb's ear.
If anything, he should have fired sooner.
He was putting himself at risk by waiting.
If it was down to me, I'd recommend an indefinite suspension of his authorisation to carry firearms.
I'd also suggest he's gonna need long-term counselling.
From one brief meeting, Tony? OK, so the bloke's in shock No, he believes he fired four shots, sir.
we know he fired two.
The fatal ones.
- what about Jelks? - He feels as responsible No, more responsible for Brandell's death than webb.
He's gonna need as much counselling as webb.
You know we train 'em up, we give 'em a gun then we say, "There you are, mate, Off you go.
You go and deal with it.
" And when they do and they come back to us it's all we can do to look 'em in the eye.
I don't think you should worry too much about that, Tony.
No.
Just an observation, sir.
So I can report at the PCA, can I, that as things stand, and as there's been no official complaints, we're happy with the behaviour of the firearms officers? Jelks and webb acted in accordance with ACPO guidelines.
My major problem is with Chief Superintendent Jameson's conduct.
well, that, fortunately, falls outside our remit, Tony.
But rest assured, your private, off-the-record comments have been noted.
well, that's it.
Thank you very much.
Sir.
worked out well, Clark.
- Yes.
- Good choice.
And Jameson? Kept a lid on what might have been a serious civil disorder.
The sort of officer we could do with more of.
- My thoughts exactly.
- I might have a word with the DAC.
A commendation? The initiative will lead to a brighter, cleaner capital.
Other news in brief.
The latest news from the troubled Sowerville Estate.
After a night of violence, the situation in the early hours of this morning is described as calm.
The disturbance follows the shooting two days ago of a youth by the police.
Tinker, the collie known to young television viewers as wondermutt, has died following a short illness.
Tinker was last seen in an episode of Shaggy Dog Tales