Several armed police officers in London have decided to lay down their weapons after being charged with the murder of one of them, who shot dead a young black man a year ago.
Following this unusual and even unprecedented movement of discontent, Interior Minister Suella Braverman expressed her “full support” for the armed police officers who “risk their lives to guarantee our safety.”
These police officers, who “must make split-second decisions under extraordinary pressure,” must not “fear finding themselves in the dock for having done their duty,” he added.
“Many are worried”
A police officer was brought to justice on Thursday, charged with the murder of Chris Kaba, a 24-year-old man, whose death sparked protests and reignited debate about racism within the police.
He was hit by a bullet on September 5 through the windshield of the car he was driving, whose license plate matched that of a vehicle linked to a firearms incident in the previous days. He died a few hours later in the hospital. Suspended, the police officer was placed under judicial supervision.
Most of London’s 34,000 police officers are unarmed. Of those who are, “many are concerned” about the possible consequences of these prosecutions, a Scotland Yard spokesperson said.
“They are concerned” that they “mark a change in the way the decisions they make in the most difficult circumstances will be judged,” he added.
“A certain number of officers” have decided to renounce their armed police authorization “while they consider their position,” continued the London police spokesperson, specifying that this “number has increased in the last 48 hours.” According to the BBC, there are more than 100.
“Our priority is public safety”
Given the magnitude of the movement, armed police officers from the surrounding area were mobilized to patrol London on Saturday night, according to the British news agency PA.
The London police have a “significant capacity” of armed officers, deployed throughout the British capital and in places such as Parliament, diplomatic premises and airports, said the London police spokesman. “Our priority is the safety of the public,” he added, adding that Scotland Yard is examining emergency options if necessary.
On Saturday, London Police Chief Mark Rowley said he had met with 70 armed officers and found their concern “understandable.”
London police are facing a crisis of public confidence, following a series of crimes committed by police officers, including the rape and murder of a 33-year-old woman in March 2021.
A major operation to clean up the situation in the ranks of Scotland Yard has resulted in the suspension or reassignment of 1,000 police officers.
Source: BFM TV
