London's Armed Police: Up Close and Personal

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The use of firearms by armed UK police remains regulated and restricted to certain specialised police units. The guidance from the Association of Chief Police Officers advises that firearms should be used only when absolutely necessary after conventional methods have failed; warnings must be given of intention to fire, and the target’s right to life should be considered. There were 6,653 armed officers as at March 2019. [Source – Home Office] The history of armed police in Britain Phoebe Weston, Call the cavalry! Horses ride to rescue of an inner city garden, The Guardian (28 December 2020). The issue of routine arming in Great Britain was raised after the 1952 Derek Bentley case, in which a constable was shot dead and a sergeant severely wounded, and again after the 1966 Massacre of Braybrook Street, in which three London officers were killed. As a result, around 17% of officers in London became authorised to carry firearms. After the deaths of a number of members of the public in the 1980s fired upon by police, control was considerably tightened, many officers had their firearm authorisation revoked, and training for the remainder was greatly improved. As of 2005, around 7% of officers in London are trained in the use of firearms. Firearms are also only issued to an officer under strict guidelines. [15]

This is a non-fiction history but it is not a dry account and the author knows his subject and brings it to life. Readers will come to this from a variety of perspectives. For some, the appeal will be simple interest in the subject. For others like myself, it will be more reference. As a journalist and a writer of crime fiction, I have an interest in armed police operations. Whatever the readers' motivation, this is a readable and well laid out account of the Met police firearms unit and one that is sure to not disappoint. AFO is the basic designation for a British police officer who has been trained in the use of firearms and has been authorised to carry them on duty. The types of role that an AFO may perform include Armed Response Vehicle (ARV) Officers, Specialist Firearms Officer (SFO), Close Protection Officer (CPO), Personal Protection Officer and Tactical Support Officer. After his meeting with firearms officers, Rowley said: “They were understandably anxious as they consider how others may assess their split-second decisions years after the event, with the luxury of as much time as they want to do this, and the effect this can have on them and their families.a b "City of London Police – City of London Police welcomes two new commanders". City of London Police . Retrieved 23 May 2022. Stephen Smith's book, making use of high-quality photos, first-person experience of the author, a narrative always measured in the various sections that compose it, leads us to know how the specialist unit of the London Metropolitan Police works, and at the same time it offers some interesting reflections on the use of weapons and force within the police force of one of the capitals of the world Many are worried about how the decision impacts on them, on their colleagues and on their families. They are concerned that it signals a shift in the way the decisions they take in the most challenging circumstances will be judged. It covers the earliest armed chase through London, gang culture from the 70’s to present day and the challenges that face the terrorist threats they currently face.

The City of London Police maintains a fleet of police vehicles, including SUVs, compact cars, motorcycle, and vans, as well as one horsebox. [30] All of the force's response vehicles, including armed response vehicles (ARVs) carry a defibrillator and first aid supplies, for use in the event of an emergency. [28] Mounted unit [ edit ] Mounted Section officers During riots in August 2011, Prime Minister David Cameron stated that police would be allowed to use rubber bullets – known as baton rounds – and also that the water cannon stationed in Northern Ireland was available to be deployed within 24 hours notice. However, both tactics were widely opposed, the former because rubber bullets have been reported to have killed several demonstrators in the past, and the latter because it would be not be effective in that particular situation. Quotes A Met police spokesperson said: “The Ministry of Defence has agreed to a request to provide the Met with counter-terrorism support should it be needed.” The police have been armed, increasingly to respond to mounting levels of violent crime and the on-going terrorist threat. The CLSC were awarded the Ferrers Trophy in 2006 for the efforts of their officers after the 7 July 2005 London bombings. The award is given annually to police volunteers, for exceptional dedication and innovation. It was the first time in the award's history that an entire special constabulary received the trophy.This is not correct. There are armed Met officers, including counterterrorism officers, on duty across London. Chris Giacomantonio, Ben Bradford, Matthew Davies & Richard Martin, Assessing the Value of Mounted Police Units in the UK, RAND Europe (2014). Sir Mark suggested legal changes over the way self-defence is interpreted in police misconduct cases, the introduction of a criminal standard of proof for unlawful killing in inquests and inquiries and changes to the threshold at which the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) can launch an investigation. Nonetheless, the public and the police themselves remain largely opposed to the routine carrying of firearms. A 2003 Police Federation survey found 80 per cent of officers were opposed to the police being armed. How UK armed police operate

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sourcesin this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( May 2021) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) Spreading disaffection in the ranks is an offence punishable by imprisonment or fines under the 1996 Police Act. According to the Police Roll of Honour Trust, 32 City of London Police staff have died in the line of duty, the first in 1857 and the most recent in 2002. Line-of-duty deaths include three officers who were fatally shot in 1910 prior to the Siege of Sidney Street; several killed in Nazi German air raids over London in 1941 and 1942; and the 1993 death of Commander Hugh Moore (who suffered a heart failure following a violent arrest). [17] Organisation [ edit ] Police have carried the ‘truncheon’ since their modern formation under legislation introduced in 1829 by Sir Robert Peel. This short wooden club remained in service, relatively unchanged until the 1990s, when police weaponry began to change dramatically. A 2017 poll, found that 72% of people supported the police being armed, while only 20% opposed. [47] See also [ edit ]

Waldren, Michael J. (2007). Armed Police, The Police Use of Firearms since 1945. England: Sutton. p.11. ISBN 978-0-7509-4637-7. We are in ongoing discussions with those officers to support them and to fully understand the genuinely held concerns that they have.”

United Kingdom law allows the use of "reasonable force" to make an arrest or prevent a crime [37] [38] or to defend oneself. [39] If the force used is fatal, then the European Convention of Human Rights only allows "the use of force which is no more than absolutely necessary". [40] Firearms officers may therefore only discharge their weapons "to stop an imminent threat to life". [41] In 2004 Taser stun guns were made available to authorised firearms officers in England and Wales and a twelve month trial began in September 2007 in ten police forces to decide whether Tasers should be issued to specially trained police units who are not firearms officers. Following the success of the trial it was decided to allow Chief Officers of all forces in England and Wales to extend Taser use to specially trained units with effect from 1st December 2008. Manji, Fatima (8 August 2020). "Police say arrest of man driving home after Channel 4 News interview about police racism was lawful". Channel 4 News . Retrieved 12 December 2021.Armed policing - Conducted energy devices (Taser)". College of Policing. 23 October 2013 . Retrieved 2 June 2017.