Bradford Shooting.

[Chappy]

No - I dont think its for UK citizens, but I dont see why I should be misconstrued because I dont put the pre-cursor 'UK' before everything.

Now if you excuse me, I must go round the world again. The ballon is just about filled.

[anglo-saxon]

The word, "PRONG" leaps to mind. Who was it who first voiced that in these parts? A true classic!

Chappy, you're a bit too Mary Jane for my tastes, sweetheart. Bless yer little cotton gusset.

I lived in England for 27 years. There were bad areas there then, and I highly suspect they're even worse now. I was nearly taken out in St. Paul's, Bristol in '85 by swarthy types and I was only out for a run, not even on the pi$$. A mate here in Canada (originally from Bradford) visited there recently and was advised by family to avoid certain areas.

The crime rate is way higher in the UK than in Canada. ALL cops are armed here. Street cops carry Glocks, Smith and Wessons, etc. with pump guns in the cruiser. Tac teams here use everything from Colt or SIG carbines, to HKs, to all manner of sniper rifles. That doesn't mean we're a police state. It just means our lads are well equipped, with a decent mandate and the support to pursue it.

I say the day of the U.K. cops not being required to be routinely armed is long gone. I personally couldn't give a rodent's posterior how many times you've travelled the world, cheese dick; most people on here have done the equivalent several times over (and some still are!). You obviously have never been in any real danger, been shot at or even had had a gun pointed at you. Many people on here have and have had to deal with it, military, cops, or both...U.K., USA, elsewhere...doesn't matter.

Re: "I'm only 23". At 23, I was a section commander in Cyprus, as were a lot of other lads, or younger. I've known 24 year old sgts and 30 year old RSMs. Think of all the 18 or 19 year-olds deployed right now! Maturity is a state of being, not a tick in a box at a certain age. Why don't you head over to the mfat forums with the tweenies? Go talk about paintballing or whatever with the "youth group". You'll fit in well, there. Better still, go out and experience a little life.

PRONG indeed!

[flo]

Well quite frankly i couldnt give a toss about rights or wrongs, there is a 3 year old little girl left without a mother. Whether the system was right or wrong, has got Fark all to do with it at this time. Our arguaments should be against those that make children orphans, and our thoughts should be with the WPC killed in action and her colleague who was injured. Female or not it makes no difference. Sorry folks we may join up to do a job but when there is a pointless killing why do we jump on the band waggon!!!! The Uk has gone to the dogs.

[Hantslad]

Guess what?
I live in a land where the filth carry shooters all the time.
Do I feel threatened by this?
Er, hello
I feel threatened by the level of skills demonstrated by WA Police in other areas though
Armed coppers is the way forward. The simple idyll of the Good Old British Bobby has not been reality since the fifties. Why send guys out there to deal with the unknowns, without them being tooled up for the job.
Give the Bill real shooters right now.
The sooner they start shooting innocent Brazilians, er oops sorry, can`t help taking the piss out of SO19
Armed Coppers is the way forward though

Dubya was very upset when he heared a Brazilian guy had been topped in that London. Jeeze, that`s terrible, how many is a brazilian, by the way

I agree with your point about the "British Bobby" Let us remember that poor old George Dixon got shot in the end!

FYI it is CO19, not SO19

[Hantslad]

Well quite frankly i couldnt give a toss about rights or wrongs, there is a 3 year old little girl left without a mother. Whether the system was right or wrong, has got Fark all to do with it at this time. Our arguaments should be against those that make children orphans, and our thoughts should be with the WPC killed in action and her colleague who was injured. Female or not it makes no difference. Sorry folks we may join up to do a job but when there is a pointless killing why do we jump on the band waggon!!!! The Uk has gone to the dogs.

Totally agree, lets not loose sight of the tragedy

[Wholley]

Flo.
She was one of us.
Nuff Said.
Did'nt realise that a post like this would cause such a row.

Chappy,
When you decide to stop being a complete Prat,Let me know.

[SO19]

The argument whether or not to arm officers as a matter of routine here in the UK will without a doubt rage on for a long time. Events such as those as on Firday will always rinkindle the debate even though there is a strong concensus within the Force not to.

Personally, I dont think it will happen and you only have to look at the specialist officers who are armed to see the reluctance to even provide them with the flexibility firearms provide ie. using half loaded magazines or employing 10 round mags where 30 round capacity is the norm. I can understand it to an extent as generally only a few rounds are ever expended and officers are trained to use every shot, but there becomes a point where you have to say if your going to arm specialist officers then do it properly. Give them the full range of options if need arises, they're trained and responsible.

*SO19 moved from Special Operations (Force Firearms Unit) to Central Operations (Specilist Firearms Command), becoming CO19.

[Tab]

I would think that one of the first things that they should do is to bring back the death penalty for killing a Police Officer while committing a crime. At the the moment life does not mean life and most of these wastrels would be out in 10 years. Now if they can get eight years for carrying a weapon or for armed robbery then why not shoot the police Officer to escape getting caught. the difference between the two it is worth the risk.

[Frank S.]

I would think that one of the first things that they should do is to bring back the death penalty for killing a Police Officer while committing a crime. At the the moment life does not mean life and most of these wastrels would be out in 10 years. Now if they can get eight years for carrying a weapon or for armed robbery then why not shoot the police Officer to escape getting caught. the difference between the two it is worth the risk.

Not so long ago, I might have disagreed. Today, I think the above may be part of a solution, long as courts enforce it. And that's a big change for me.

As to the subject of this thread, my deepest condolences to the families and colleagues. Good post Paul.

[Black Rat]

My thoughts and condolancies are with both of the families of the Officers, one of whom paid the supreme sacrifice in the 'traditional' role of the British Police service.

There are far to many 'experts' out there when it comes to the Police.

It isn't a simple arguement.

In a nutshell, because of the perceptions of the good old days (Dixon of Dock Green etc) if they ever existed, its political suicide for the party, or chief who goes for routine arming.

Whats the answer? Well I have my own ideas but then again I an biased.

Once again, my sincere and deepest condolancies to the families concerned.

I thank them for their sacrifice in the name of duty.

[Black Rat]

I forgot to add, the time to go for me from Police Firearms was the introduction of the Taser.

An option to far! Does the Firearms Officer draw his SLP, MP5, Baton Gun,
Tazer, Casco Baton, CS, Use Tac Coms, unarmed defence tactics or as we were told recently, to retreat.

Whilst he or she is deciding this, and the request for authority to arm granted from control lets guess what our offender, who is armed or otherwise so dangerous they could not safely be restrained without the use of fireams is doing.

[Artist]

Seems 6 suspects are winging their way to Yorkshire as I type. I am just glad I ain't a copper.

It seems to be the norm these days for Scum to carry a firearm. As it is I really think they should bring back the Noose for any bastard who guns down a copper.

"Back to Basics" Kick Arse and hang em high!!!

You can shove this PC bollox where the sun don't shine.

Artist

[Hostage_Negotiator]

Have to agree with Steve on this one!

[got1]

My mates wife is a serving police officer. Last week she was on a firearm course (refresher).
I hope she got a good score.
ARM THEM.

[Sticky Blue]

True, very true

there is a 3 year old little girl left without a mother.

Worse thasn that is... it happened on the little girls' birthday.

Bring back the rope or the bullet... Terrorism, killing police or children