The Police Federation is threatening legal action over plans to discipline three officers involved in the James Ashley affair.
Mr Ashley was unarmed when he was shot dead in a police raid on his Hastings home in January 1998.
The Police Complaints Authority recently announced it would take disciplinary action against three of the officers involved.
But the Sussex branch of the Police Federation - which represents rank-and-file officers - believes the action is an abuse of process. The officers have already been cleared of any wrongdoing in court.
The federation is representing chief inspectors Kevin French, 48, and Christopher Siggs, 42. Along with Superintendent Chris Burton, 44, they face 15 charges concerning their role in the raid.
Federation spokesman Graham Alexander described the discipline charges as "completely crackers".
He said the matter was now in the hands of lawyers, adding: "We intend going for the jugular. This is totally unfair and totally unacceptable."
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