In the heart of London, more than 300 members of the Metropolitan Police, also known as Scotland Yard, decided to return their weapons in peaceful protest. The mobilization came after a colleague was prosecuted for the murder of an unarmed black man on the city’s south side in 2022.
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These officials express concern that they too could face criminal prosecution if they find themselves in a similar situation. They argue that they do not want to risk being incriminated and would rather give up the right to bear arms. The case has reignited discussion about reviewing procedures and laws that ensure legal protection for members of the security forces.
Image: G1 Globo
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Who is the London Metropolitan Police?
Known for keeping the number of armed police officers on the streets relatively low, the company employs about 34,000 police officers, about 2,500 of whom are licensed to carry weapons. This number has increased in recent years due to the increasing terrorist threat and the emergence of new criminal organizations.
The head of London’s Metropolitan Scotland Yard, Sir Mark Rowley, called on the Home Office to review procedures and suggested more legal protection for police officers. Scotland Yard had to enlist the help of police forces in other regions of the country to maintain the number of armed officers patrolling the city.
What is the context of the crime that sparked the police protest?
The trigger for this unprecedented gesture by Scotland Yard in London was the case of Chris Kaba, a 24yearold black man who was killed with a single shot by a police officer in south London on September 5, 2022. Kaba was shot in a stampede after he refused to get out of the car he was driving. The public prosecutor filed a complaint against the officer, which sparked outrage among his colleagues and led to the issuance of weapons permits.
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The British Ministry of Defense decided to intervene and offered soldiers to help the London police during the crisis. Meanwhile, society is hopeful for changes in the way the British justice system handles cases of violence against officers.
Source: CNN