Soldato
Hi All,
This is only just being reported over the last few hours so this story will likely change/evolve so please keep that in mind regarding this OP.
Recently the CPS decided to charge a Metropolitan Armed Police Officer with murder over their role in the death of Chris Kaba who was killed by a single shot whilst sat, unarmed, in a car (not his) after hitting a marked Police car during a targetted Police Stop operation on the car which had been involved in a firearms offence the day before. In response to the CPS action, and citing the lack of support from the leadership of the Met, the London Mayor and the police Commissioner, over the past 48hrs "hundreds" (actual number still unclear as of posting this - lots of misreporting) of armed Met Police officers have handed in their "blue cards" which allows them to carry weapons, effectively stripping the Met Police of a large amount of armed response (including anti-terror CTFSO) police.
The senior leadership of the Met met with at least 70 officers to discuss the case which has then led to the effective "walk out", where the officers have said that they will still work as "normal" officers but will no longer work as Armed Police. I don't know if this is a permanent removal from Armed duty or just temporary (like a strike).
The Met Police leadership have asked for help from several other forces to cover these loses which so far has been turned down by the Armed Police of those various forces as individual officers reportedly don't want to work in London (maybe showing solidarity?).
www.telegraph.co.uk
www.theguardian.com
news.sky.com
www.dailymail.co.uk
www.independent.co.uk
metro.co.uk
As always, any death caused directly the Police will be filled with antagonism from pro/anti sides but I think that its right that every death should be investigated and, should an officer be found to have gone beyond their duty they should be charged and punished. In this case I find that the charge of "murder" i.e. pre-meditated death looks to be the "main sticking point" amongst the rest of the Armed Officers but the Officers actions, unfortunate as they are, do match the CPS definition of murder (https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/homicide-murder-and-manslaughter) which is effectively -
Now, unless the officer fired "by accident" then the obvious defence case, I would imagine, will be that this should be classed as "self defence" i.e. the Officer, not knowing what Kaba was doing, feared for their (or their colleagues) life and so felt forced to fire. It'll be interesting to see how this particular case pans out as the evidence is presented i.e. what were Kaba's actions (if any at all) and I wonder if the lack of Armed Police on the streets of London will have any additional effect (if any) on current violence/crime levels and if those Police who have handed in their "cards" will ever come back or will this action spread across other forces.
This is only just being reported over the last few hours so this story will likely change/evolve so please keep that in mind regarding this OP.
Recently the CPS decided to charge a Metropolitan Armed Police Officer with murder over their role in the death of Chris Kaba who was killed by a single shot whilst sat, unarmed, in a car (not his) after hitting a marked Police car during a targetted Police Stop operation on the car which had been involved in a firearms offence the day before. In response to the CPS action, and citing the lack of support from the leadership of the Met, the London Mayor and the police Commissioner, over the past 48hrs "hundreds" (actual number still unclear as of posting this - lots of misreporting) of armed Met Police officers have handed in their "blue cards" which allows them to carry weapons, effectively stripping the Met Police of a large amount of armed response (including anti-terror CTFSO) police.
The senior leadership of the Met met with at least 70 officers to discuss the case which has then led to the effective "walk out", where the officers have said that they will still work as "normal" officers but will no longer work as Armed Police. I don't know if this is a permanent removal from Armed duty or just temporary (like a strike).
The Met Police leadership have asked for help from several other forces to cover these loses which so far has been turned down by the Armed Police of those various forces as individual officers reportedly don't want to work in London (maybe showing solidarity?).
Counter-terrorism police among Met officers handing in weapons after colleague charged with murder
The crisis began on Thursday when a Met firearms officer was charged with murdering Chris Kaba in south London last September
www.telegraph.co.uk
Dozens of Met officers refuse armed patrols after colleague’s murder charge
At least 70 police firearms officers are reconsidering carrying a gun after marksman to go on trial over death of Chris Kaba
www.theguardian.com
Met Police firearms officers turning in their weapons following Chris Kaba murder charge
An officer was charged with murder after Chris Kaba was shot dead last year after he drove his Audi into a marked police car.
news.sky.com
Met firearms officers hand in weapons over Chris Kaba murder charge
Chris Kaba, 24, died after being shot in the head by a Met firearms officer in Streatham Hill shortly after 10pm on September 5, 2022.
Met firearms officers ‘step back from armed duties’ after Chris Kaba murder charge
Met Police armed officers are ‘anxious’ after the officer was charged with the murder of Chris Kaba
www.independent.co.uk
Met firearms officers hand in guns after marksman charged with Chris Kaba murder
Scotland Yard has confirmed ‘a number of officers have taken the decision to step back from armed duties'.
metro.co.uk
As always, any death caused directly the Police will be filled with antagonism from pro/anti sides but I think that its right that every death should be investigated and, should an officer be found to have gone beyond their duty they should be charged and punished. In this case I find that the charge of "murder" i.e. pre-meditated death looks to be the "main sticking point" amongst the rest of the Armed Officers but the Officers actions, unfortunate as they are, do match the CPS definition of murder (https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/homicide-murder-and-manslaughter) which is effectively -
Now, unless the officer fired "by accident" then the obvious defence case, I would imagine, will be that this should be classed as "self defence" i.e. the Officer, not knowing what Kaba was doing, feared for their (or their colleagues) life and so felt forced to fire. It'll be interesting to see how this particular case pans out as the evidence is presented i.e. what were Kaba's actions (if any at all) and I wonder if the lack of Armed Police on the streets of London will have any additional effect (if any) on current violence/crime levels and if those Police who have handed in their "cards" will ever come back or will this action spread across other forces.