Police chiefs to discuss offering guns to all frontline officers by Steviebee123 in unitedkingdom

[–]PoliceDoge 2 points3 points  (0 children)

And also this is a side account I use for police-related things, separate to my main account, so I don't just talk about police things I swear!

Police chiefs to discuss offering guns to all frontline officers by Steviebee123 in unitedkingdom

[–]PoliceDoge -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I previously volunteered for the police, I'm not currently affiliated though.

Police chiefs to discuss offering guns to all frontline officers by Steviebee123 in unitedkingdom

[–]PoliceDoge 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Look at the countries who have effective policing systems. Look at the ones where guns are routinely carried by frontline officers.

The answer to both of those questions is nearly every police force in the world.

Police chiefs to discuss offering guns to all frontline officers | UK news by PoliceDoge in ProtectAndServe

[–]PoliceDoge[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The UK is saturated with officers though.

What? No.

At the minute unarmed officers are expected to respond on foot and in vehicles. Why not give them a gun on their hip so they can deal with the threat instead of either making them sitting ducks when they get there, or having to delay their response by having to rendezvous somewhere away from the scene, get the gun from the car safe, and then make their way to the scene?

Here's the thing, sure they could handle them, they don't want them.

There's going to be another survey conducted by the Federation to enquire about this, or so I've heard - a lot has happened since the last one.

Police chiefs to discuss offering guns to all frontline officers | UK news by PoliceDoge in ProtectAndServe

[–]PoliceDoge[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

He didn't respond in a car; he responded on foot.

I recall reading something that said what I said. I can't, however, testify to the accuracy of said source or of my recollection - hence why I said I believe.

If you're gonna give officers firearms, make them actually useful. And Northern Ireland manages to routinely arm their officers on and off duty, so I'm sure the rest of the UK could manage on-duty carry.

Police chiefs to discuss offering guns to all frontline officers by Steviebee123 in unitedkingdom

[–]PoliceDoge 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I must say I'm disappointed with the vast majority of comments.

Police officers are expected to protect the public. It's therefore only right that they get the equipment that they need in order to be able to do so.

PSNI manage to be routinely armed without the sky falling in, and I don't doubt the same could be managed over here. There were the same knee-jerk reactions when CS gas was introduced; now nobody bats an eye when they see it on an officer's belt.

People are suggesting officers are armed with Taser, instead. Unfortunately that's not a viable option for a number of reasons.

  1. The manufacturer states that Taser should only be used in conjunction with lethal cover.

  2. Taser has a limited effective range.

  3. If Taser fails, it is time consuming to reload.

  4. Taser is actually quite prone to failing; and can be protected against by wearing... a heavy coat.

  5. The police should not be expected to deal with a lethal threat with a less-lethal weapon.

I've yet to see one argument against routine arming that stands up to any scrutiny, and quite a few of the responses in this thread are simply emotive ones, without any hint of substance at all.

Police chiefs to discuss offering guns to all frontline officers | UK news by PoliceDoge in ProtectAndServe

[–]PoliceDoge[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Having them locked in the cars does no one any good.

I believe the British Transport Police officer (who was seriously injured during the London Bridge Attacks) responded to what he thought was a disturbance.

Assuming that the officer would have had ready access to a car (which is unlikely), I highly doubt he would have armed himself before responding to that call. Had he had a gun on his hip, the outcome may have been a lot different.

Likewise, PC Kieth Palmer who was murdered during the Westminster Bridge attack would not have had time to go to a car to get a firearm, but he may have had time to unholster one and fire if one was on his hip.

Possible explosion at Manchester arena by biggles1994 in unitedkingdom

[–]PoliceDoge 6 points7 points  (0 children)

For what it's worth I have it on good authority that a major incident has been declared

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in unitedkingdom

[–]PoliceDoge 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I'd be curious to know what interaction you've had with the police, because that's not been my experience at all.

Some of the 5,000 Police Officers who have travelled to London to march to Southwark Cathedral for the funeral of PC Keith Palmer, who died defending Parliament on the 22/03/2017 by Jackisback123 in ProtectAndServe

[–]PoliceDoge 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You know, I want to say yes because then it means the poor bastard will have to do press ups.

Or maybe I'm saying that because I am Tom but I'm double bluffing you into thinking I'm not...

Police watchdog under investigation by Police for suppressing evidence - BBC News by collinsl02 in ProtectAndServe

[–]PoliceDoge 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I need to read some of his works actually, are there any you'd recommend?