London police officers handed in guns after officer is charged with Chris Kaba murder

Photo by Euronews with AFP

By TopTrendReportTv

September 25, 2023

After numerous Metropolitan Police officers handed back their firearms permits, the UK's Ministry of Defence had been poised to deploy soldiers to aid the armed police in London. The BBC received information from a source revealing over 100 officers had surrendered their weapon permits. But by Monday evening, the situation was resolved as sufficient officers resumed their duties, and military assistance was not required.

The unusual event transpired following the charge of murder against a police officer who fatally shot Chris Kaba, a 24-year-old Black man, in south London. Consequently, a request was made to the army for counter-terrorism support by the government's Home Office, anticipating a potential shortage of armed personnel.

Chris Kaba, a 24-year-old Black man

Although the vast majority of London's 34,000 police force is unarmed, those who carry weapons are reportedly anxious about how their decisions might be perceived and judged, especially in light of the Kaba case, a Metropolitan Police representative said.

To manage the situation, armed officers from neighbouring regions patrolled London on Saturday night, as reported by British news agency PA. A London police representative emphasized their considerable force of armed officers, primarily stationed at sensitive sites like Parliament, embassies, and airports. Public safety remains their topmost priority.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman extended her unwavering support to the armed officers, acknowledging the high-pressure, instantaneous decisions they must often make.

Over the weekend, London's police chief, Mark Rowley, held discussions with 70 armed officers, expressing empathy towards their concerns. The Metropolitan Police is currently grappling with an erosion of public trust due to incidents involving their officers, including the March 2021 incident where a policewoman was raped and killed. An extensive operation at Scotland Yard has already resulted in the suspension or repositioning of 1,000 officers in an attempt to rebuild its image and trust.