UK Police Refuse Armed Patrols Amid Racism Accusations
London Police Officers Refuse Armed Patrols Following Murder Charge
London’s police force revealed on Sunday that several officers are now declining to carry out armed patrols in the wake of a colleague being charged with murder for the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man.
The incident in question occurred in September 2022 when a Metropolitan Police marksman, whose identity remains undisclosed, fired a single bullet through the windshield of an Audi car, killing 24-year-old Chris Kaba. The case has reignited concerns about institutional racism within the London police department.
Kaba’s family expressed their approval of the murder charge against the officer, who has been granted conditional bail and is scheduled to stand trial next year.
Approximately one in 10 London police officers carry firearms, and those who do undergo specialized training. However, the Metropolitan Police force announced that “a number of officers have taken the decision to step back from armed duties while they consider their position.” These officers are apprehensive that the murder charge “signals a shift in the way the decisions they make in the most challenging circumstances will be judged.”
According to the BBC, over 100 officers have surrendered their firearm permits, leading to the deployment of police from neighboring forces to assist with patrolling London on Saturday night.
While the force maintains a “significant firearms capability,” it has requested assistance from the Ministry of Defense for “counterterrorism support should it be needed.” This means that soldiers may be called upon to perform specific tasks that the police are unable to carry out, but they will not engage in routine police work or possess the power of arrest.
Review of Armed Policing Ensured for Officer Confidence
Home Secretary Suella Braverman, responsible for policing in the U.K.’s Conservative government, pledged to review armed policing to ensure that officers “have the confidence to do their jobs.” Braverman emphasized the need for officers to make split-second decisions under extraordinary pressures without fearing legal repercussions. She expressed her full support for officers risking their lives to maintain public safety and vowed to provide them with unwavering assistance.
We depend on our brave firearms officers to protect us from the most dangerous & violent in society. In the interest of public safety they have to make split-second decisions under extraordinary pressures. 1/3https://t.co/kYQlxffXdH
— Suella Braverman MP (@SuellaBraverman) September 24, 2023
Fatal shootings by police in the U.K. are rare, with official statistics indicating that armed officers in England and Wales fired weapons at individuals only four times in the year leading up to March 2022.
It is also highly uncommon for British police officers to face murder or manslaughter charges for actions carried out while on duty. One notable exception occurred in 2021 when a police constable received an eight-year prison sentence for the killing of former professional soccer player Dalian Atkinson. The officer, Benjamin Monk, was acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter after using a stun gun and kicking Atkinson in the head during an altercation.
Kaba’s shooting has occurred amidst heightened scrutiny of the Metropolitan Police. In 2021, an officer pleaded guilty to the kidnapping, rape, and murder of Sarah Everard, a 33-year-old woman who went missing while walking home. Another officer from the same parliamentary and diplomatic protection unit pleaded guilty in January to committing numerous rapes between 2003 and 2020.
In March, an independent review exposed deep-seated racism, misogyny, and homophobia within the London force, leading to a loss of public confidence. The force has committed to eradicating misconduct and has dismissed around 100 officers for gross misconduct in the past year. However, it acknowledged that removing all corrupt officers could take several years.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
The post UK Police Refusing to Conduct Armed Patrols After Department Is Accused of Racism appeared first on The Western Journal.
What impact does the murder charge against the Metropolitan Police officer have on the perception of institutional racism within the police force?
Ngs involving police officers and unarmed individuals have become a contentious issue around the world, and London is no exception. The recent murder charge against a Metropolitan Police officer for the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man has sparked further concerns about institutional racism within the police force.
The incident occurred in September 2022, when an unidentified marksman fired a single bullet through the windshield of an Audi car, resulting in the death of 24-year-old Chris Kaba. The family of the victim has expressed their approval of the murder charge against the officer, who has been granted conditional bail and is set to stand trial next year.
In response to this incident, several officers have now declined to carry out armed patrols. Approximately one in 10 London police officers carry firearms, and those who do undergo specialized training. However, the Metropolitan Police force announced that ”a number of officers have taken the decision to step back from armed duties while they consider their position.” These officers are concerned that the murder charge signifies a shift in the way their decisions in challenging circumstances will be judged.
The repercussions of this decision are significant. Over 100 officers have surrendered their firearm permits, leading to the deployment of police from neighboring forces to assist with patrolling London on Saturday night. While the force maintains a “significant firearms capability,” they have requested assistance from the Ministry of Defense for “counterterrorism support should it be needed.” This means that soldiers may be called upon to perform specific tasks that the police are unable to carry out, but they will not engage in routine police work or possess the power of arrest.
In light of these developments, Home Secretary Suella Braverman, responsible for policing in the U.K.’s Conservative government, has pledged to review armed policing to ensure that officers “have the confidence to do their jobs.” Braverman acknowledges the need for officers to make split-second decisions under extraordinary pressures without fearing legal repercussions. She expresses her full support for officers risking their lives to maintain public safety and vows to provide them with unwavering assistance.
Fatal shootings involving police officers are complex situations, and the proper balance between public safety and the accountability of law enforcement must be maintained. The upcoming trial of the charged officer will likely shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the appropriate legal consequences. In the meantime, it is crucial for the London Police force to address the concerns raised by its officers and the wider community to ensure a fair and effective application of armed policing.
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