In London, the majority of police are unarmed. But some armed officers, worried, surrender their weapons following the conviction of one of their colleagues for the murder of a young black man.
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Following this highly unusual, even unprecedented, movement of discontent, the Minister of the Interior, Suella Braverman, expressed her “full support” for the armed police officers who “ risk their lives to keep us safe “. These police officers, who “ must make split-second decisions under extraordinary pressure” born ” must not fear finding themselves in the dock for having fulfilled their duty “, she added.
The London police, which has 34,000 members, is facing a serious crisis of confidence, reports our correspondent in London, Sidonie Gaucher. The murder of Kris Kaba in September last year reignites the debate on racism within the police. The officer who shot at the car of this unarmed 24-year-old black man has just been sentenced.
5% of police officers carry a weapon
As a result, for two days, 70 “worried” “Met” officers have wanted to lay down their weapons. However, the English police are mostly unarmed, with barely more than 5% carrying a weapon. So why this questioning? For the Telegraphthe agents “have had enough and say it’s no longer worth it » to run the risk of being charged. There is also talk of cleaning up the ranks, because the London police are “ institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic ”, according to the title of the Guardian.
On Saturday, London Police Chief Mark Rowley said he had met with 70 armed officers and judged their ” understandable concern “. Recently, more than 1,000 London police officers were sanctioned after a series of scandals, and 275 officers are awaiting hearings for serious misconduct.
(And with AFP)
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