By David Young-
The Metropolitan Police is facing a significant crisis as a revolt brews within its ranks following a murder charge against one of its officers, who is accused of the killing of 24-year-old Chris Kaba in Streatham Hill, south London, last September.
The charged officer, known only as NX121, has been granted anonymity by a district judge.
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In response to the growing unrest among its ranks, the Metropolitan Police has announced that armed officers from other UK police forces will be drafted in to provide support. Additionally, soldiers are on standby to assist if the situation escalates further.
The force acknowledged that “a number of officers have taken the decision to step back from armed duties while they consider their position,” and this number has surged in the past 48 hours.
In order to ensure public safety and the ability to respond to any potential incidents, Met firearms officers will be supplemented by a limited number of armed officers from other forces starting from Saturday evening, according to a statement released by the Metropolitan Police.
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The crisis has prompted calls for a review of the guidance provided to armed officers.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has initiated this review to ensure that armed officers “have the confidence to do their job,” according to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley.
The move has also garnered the support of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who emphasized the need for clarity regarding the legal powers of armed officers.
During a visit to a community center in Hertfordshire, Mr. Sunak expressed his appreciation for the sacrifices made by armed officers, stating, “They are making life or death decisions in a split-second to keep us safe, and they deserve our gratitude for their bravery.”
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of clarity in the use of legal powers by armed officers, given the gravity of their decisions and the lethal nature of their duties.
He highlighted the need to ensure that the guidance under which officers operate is robust and instills confidence, not only among the officers themselves but also among the public.
The situation remains fluid, and the Metropolitan Police is actively addressing the concerns within its ranks as it strives to maintain public safety and restore confidence among its officers.
The involvement of armed officers from other police forces and the potential deployment of soldiers underscore the seriousness of the ongoing crisis.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “The Ministry of Defence has agreed to a request to provide the Met with counterterrorism support should it be needed.
“This is a contingency option that would only be used in specific circumstances and where an appropriate policing response was not available.
“Armed forces personnel will not be used in a routine policing capacity. We will keep the need for the support under constant review.”
One armed police officer, who is on “reflective leave”, told LBC that senior figures at the Met are not supportive enough and have taken a “combative” stance against protestors.
“We understand as armed officers in London that if we have to take that ultimate action that justice has to be seen to be done, and that our actions will come under the most forensic of scrutiny,” he told LBC.
“However, under Mark Rowley and the senior leadership team, we are just not getting the right level of support to be able to do that job.
“It’s almost being treated with detriment that we’ve decided to take this period of reflection and so in terms of being supporting and listening to us, that’s not correct I’m afraid.”
Home Secretary Suella Braverman intervened earlier today, expressing her support for those on “reflective leave”.
“Officers risking their lives to keep us safe have my full backing and I will do everything in my power to support them,” the home secretary said.
“That’s why I have launched a review to ensure they have the confidence to do their jobs while protecting us all.”
“We are in ongoing discussions with those officers to support them and to fully understand the genuinely held concerns that they have,” a Met spokesperson said.
“The Met has a significant firearms capability and we continue to have armed response teams deployed in communities across London to keep the public safe.”
“We are in ongoing discussions with those officers to support them and to fully understand the genuinely held concerns that they have,” the Met spokesperson added.
“The Met has a significant firearms capability and we continue to have a
“Our firearms officers… are not only prepared to confront the armed and dangerous to protect London’s communities but they do so recognising the uniquely intense and lengthy personal accountability they will face for their split-second operational decisions,” Sir Mark said in a statement.
“I understand why many of them are reflecting on the potential price of such weighty responsibilities.
“Bravery comes in many forms. When officers have the levels of uncertainty and worry I saw in my colleagues today, simply going in and doing their jobs not knowing what incidents are ahead of them is courageous.”
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