Most of London’s 34,000 police officers are unarmed. “Many of them are concerned” about the potential consequences of these prosecutions, a Scotland Yard spokesman said.
Several armed London police officers have decided to give up their weapons after murder charges were filed against one of their colleagues who fatally shot a young black man a year ago.
Following this highly unusual and even unprecedented movement of discontent, Interior Minister Suella Braverman expressed her “full support” for the armed police officers who are “risking their lives to ensure our security.”
These police officers, who “have to make split-second decisions under extraordinary pressure,” should not be afraid of “ending up in the dock for doing their duty,” she added.
“Many are worried”
A police officer was brought to court on Thursday and charged with the murder of Chris Kaba, a 24-year-old young man. His death sparked demonstrations and reignited the debate about racism within the police.
On September 5, he was struck by a bullet through the windshield of his car, whose license plate matched that of a vehicle linked to a firearms incident in previous days. He died in hospital a few hours later. The police officer was suspended and placed under judicial supervision.
Most of London’s 34,000 police officers are unarmed. “Many of them are concerned” about the potential consequences of these prosecutions, a Scotland Yard spokesman said.
“They are concerned” that they “mark a change in the way the decisions they make in the most difficult circumstances are judged,” he added.
“A certain number of officers” have decided to give up their armed police license “while they reflect on their position,” the London Police spokesman continued, specifying that this “number has increased in the last 48 hours.” According to the BBC, there are more than 100 of them.
“Our priority is public safety”
Given the scale of the movement, armed officers from surrounding police were mobilized to patrol London on Saturday evening, according to the British news agency PA.
London police have a “significant capacity” of armed officers stationed across the British capital and in locations such as Parliament, diplomatic buildings and airports, a London police spokesman said. “Our priority is the safety of the public,” he added, noting that Scotland Yard is considering emergency options if necessary.
On Saturday, London Police Chief Mark Rowley said he had met with 70 armed officers and found their concerns “understandable.”
London police are facing a crisis of public trust following a series of crimes committed by officers, including the rape and murder of a 33-year-old woman in March 2021.
A major operation to rectify the situation within the ranks of Scotland Yard led to the suspension or reassignment of 1,000 police officers.