What is meant by Kratos criteria, and why are they so crucial?
The documents reveal that firearms officers involved in the operation were told “unusual tactics” may be required and if they “were deployed to intercept a subject there was an opportunity to challenge, but if the subject was non-compliant, a critical shot may be taken”. Those are probably references to special tactics developed to counter the threat of a suicide bomber who police believe is about to explode a device. The tactics are known as Operation Kratos and allow officers to shoot a suspect in the head, if needs be, without shouting any warning. Senior sources say this is necessary because a suicide bomber who becomes aware that police are on to him will detonate the device immediately. This is the experience of law enforcement in Israel and Sri Lanka, which have faced sustained suicide bombing campaigns. The tactics were developed by a national steering group on tackling suicide bombers, but officers involved still may have to show that their actions amounted to reasonable force
