Chris Kaba: MoD offers military support after armed Met officers turn in weapons
Chris Kaba: MoD offers military support after armed Met officers turn in weapons
Officers turned in their weapons after a marksman was charged with the murder of an unarmed man.
I think it’s pretty troubling that the military may have to step in to cover what should be police matters when it’s not a matter of a national emergency.
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So unless they can shoot with impunity, they won't fulfill their oath to serve and protect the public. Feels like we're being held hostage.
I'm not sure if being able to shoot with impunity is what these armed officers are asking for. It seems that they've lost confidence that the justice systems will treat them or their colleagues fairly after being asked to make split second decisions that could result in someone losing their life in extremely dangerous situations.
The police should be accountable, but I don't think it's good for either the police or the public that these armed officers hesitate to act in situations that call for their intervention because they're worried about being prosecuted if it all goes wrong.
Officers who were acting by the book shouldn't be afraid of doing their job just because there was an unfortunate outcome.
Police losing faith in the justice system doesn’t sound ideal
Would definitely go some way to explaining why morale in the police (the Met at least) has been terrible for years and experienced officers are leaving faster than new ones are joining.
Why do such a stressful job if you don’t even believe you’re ultimately making a difference?
their oath to serve and protect the public
Their what now?
Don't remember that bit from when I joined up, mind you that was in 1980, but I don't think the oath has changed in the meantime.