London's top cop seeks protections for police as armed officers protest murder

26/9/2023 6:20

        The head of London’s police force is calling for increased legal protections for officers who use force in the line of duty after more than 100 officers refused to carry guns to protest murder charges filed against one of their colleagues.
        
        The revolt by specially trained firearms officers has raised concerns about the Metropolitan Police Service’s ability to respond to some incidents, and the military has agreed to provide backup for counterterrorism operations.
        
        Fewer than 10% of London police officers carry guns. Police Commissioner Mark Rowley wrote to Home Secretary Suella Braverman late Sunday welcoming her decision to review the rules governing armed police and calling on her to "let the police police."
        
        Braverman, whose department oversees policing, announced the review earlier in the day.
        
        An unidentified officer appeared in court on Thursday after he was charged with murder in the shooting of an unarmed Black man in south London on Sept. 5, 2022. Chris Kaba, 24, died after he was struck by a single gunshot fired into the car he was driving.