People think that the British Police are not armed. Well its a misconception. There are a number of forces e.g The Ministry Of Defence Police (a civilian force, not military), UK Civil Nuclear Police, Police Service Of Northern Ireland, are armed. The Anti Terrorist, Flying Squad, Special Branch, Diplomatic Protection, Royal Protection squad are all armed. All County Police forces have round the clock Armed Response Units & also have specialist SWAT -like teams. (e.g CO19 in London Met police)
Why don't the Government just own up to this fact ? We are the only country in Europe not to 'officially' have an armed police service, why clutch onto false past romantic visions ?
2006-09-06 03:55:27 · 5 answers · asked by missmillyb 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Thomas P..... The Ministry Of Defence police is a civilian police force & are quite seperate from The Royal Military Police who are actually part of the military. Thomas I see armed police reqularly & I have friends & relatives in the police
2006-09-06 04:18:28 · update #1
Thomas, The Military have very little to do with policing in the UK apart from Northern Ireland, & the very most serious of situatiuons e.g Terrorist situations or that embassy seige where the SAS were used. The Army provide some training in the use of weapons & tactics but play no routine operational role in Policing armed or not armed. All Firearms officers are civilians
2006-09-06 04:23:14 · update #2
youre absolutely right but blair and his extreamly attractive wife,are afraid of upsetting the guardian reading lefties these are the same people who dont want the human rights act scrapped makes you sick dont it.so thats why its kept quiet.vote loser im afraid.
2006-09-06 04:00:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because the vast majority of the Police Force are a civilian, unarmed group, and proud of it.
Look, Military Police patrol the Army, not the streets. Yes, all services have armed units, as every nation does, but the main difference is the vast majority of our firearms officers are Militarty units, or heavily specialised squads.
We clutch onto these 'romantic visions' because they are, for the most part, true. When was the last time you saw an ordinary street bobby carrying a military firearm?
2006-09-06 04:00:47 · answer #2 · answered by thomas p 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I posted a similar question a couple of months ago.
The British Police are NOT routinely armed. Yes, we have a specialist armed capability of being able to respond to firearms or weaponed situations, or potential armed situations, it would be foolish not to.
Most of the police that work in the UK are not armed. I don't really get your point.
2006-09-07 02:36:11 · answer #3 · answered by SurfCop 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All police should be armed... and all LAW ABIDING citizens who wish to carry side-arms should be armed also. Armed citizens create a polite society.
When only the criminals and police carry arms, the law abiding become the fodder of the criminals... The main duty performed by the police is "taking reports". Then they try to catch the criminal, but, the damage is done... if the criminal is caught.... and IF the criminal goes to trial and IF the criminal is found guilty.... a half-way measure has been accomplished.... the damage is not undone.
No matter what you think, that is the truth.
The courts negate the deterrent factor to criminals, afforded to the law abiding citizens by the possible presence of the police.
2006-09-06 04:08:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
they are
2006-09-06 03:58:18 · answer #5 · answered by sunny 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋