U.K. "Officers have say on arming police "

[cuchulainn]

from icBirmingham

http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk...2&headline=Officers have say on arming police

Officers have say on arming police

Apr 15 2003

By John Revill, Birmingham Post

Thousands of police officers across the Midlands are being asked if they want to be routinely equipped with guns.

One-fifth of all officers across the country are being polled by the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file members, on safety issues as well as the question of arming.

The results will be presented at the national Police Federation conference in Blackpool next month.

Questions raised include how many times have officers thought their lives in danger, how many times they have been threatened with a knife or gun over the last two years and if they would be prepared to carry a firearm at all times on duty, or whether they would resign over the issue.

Paul Tonks, chairman of the West Midlands Police Federation, said: "I would be against the routine arming of police officers, I think it would be a retrograde step.

"We police by consent in Britain and that would be seriously undermined by arming officers.

"You only have to look at countries where there is routine arming of officers and you see gun crime is far higher than here.

"Although the number of firearms offences is increasing, you only have to look at Latin America and the US to see it doesn't solve the problem."

Mr Tonks said he preferred to see an increase in the number of specialist armed response units.

"I would like to see the Government put more resources into ports and airports to stop the weapons coming into Britain in the first place," he added.

Mark Judson, chairman of the Staffordshire Police Federation, said he wanted to see officers armed only as a last resort.

He said: "Personally I would not want to see officers routinely armed and I think most other officers would agree. I don't think we have got to the situation yet where there is a need and there are certainly robust enough contingencies in place to deal with firearms incidents.

"In the fullness of time, if gun crime continues to increase, then this is an issue which could be looked at again in the future."

Mr Judson said more efforts should be focused on reducing the number of weapons in circulation.

"The flow of weapons into the country from the Balkans and the former Eastern bloc companies needs to be stemmed," he added.

© owned by or licensed to Trinity Mirror Plc 2003

 

[Shalako]

If you are carrying a weapon, you may be liable or even be expected to use it. I'd rather just blow my whistle or clear my throat very loudly and urge the perpatrators to cease their indiscretions.

a.k.a. "Halt! Or I'll yell 'Halt' again!"

 

[Standing Wolf]

You only have to look at countries where there is routine arming of officers and you see gun crime is far higher than here.

Rarely does a day pass when I fail to feel grateful to our forefathers for having rebelled against the English and founded a republic.

 

[Bruce in West Oz]

You only have to look at countries where there is routine arming of officers and you see gun crime is far higher than here.

Poppycock!!!! I don't have the figures, and I'm not about to go looking for them now, but I'd bet that gun crime in England is higher than here in Australia -- and certainly higher than here in Western Australia.

And all our cops are "routinely armed"!

I just can't believe the mentality of some of these wallies! :banghead:

Bruce

 

[dinosaur]

There`s no need for firearms since they have radios. One call and an armed response team will be there in a few minutes. That is unless they`re changing a flat on some chief`s car. Sort of a Brit version of "Call 911 and Die".

Here in the U.S, since the police must be armed, one has to pass a psych and DPF test. Having carried every day for the last 29 years both as an active LEO and private citizen, the system may be flawed but it seems to work. To tell the absolute truth, I couldn`t care less if they carry kazoos. Nobody twisted my arm to take the job.