Hello all,

Recently I have been reading a lot of stories of UK Officers being stabbed and also shot.

Now I have to say I admire you guys and girls for going out there to do your job without having a firearm on your hip.

I am of the strong believe that officers should be armed to simply protect themselves and their partners.

I believe it is getting more violent out there with an increase in knife/gun attacks on Police Officers.

I am interested in how all of you feel on wether you should be armed or not?

I do, but we need a lot of backing from our bosses should we lawfully shoot someone. The investigation needs to be a lot faster with a lot less playing to the "interest groups" that crawl from the woodwork.

The main thing that is stopping it is the training involved.


Jim

I would say yes, however if it ever happens then we should be given the choice as alot of officers would refuse to carry for various reasons.

We have a rule here no uniformed officer may be armed. I can see the point of it as our name means guardians of peace but its a little too outdated now. I would like to see uniformed officers being given the chance. As I'm armed I get called to a fair few jobs to help out unarmed uniformed colleagues. Granted we do have dedicated units for this but if I'm near the call I'll ceratainly give a dig out

Not only yes, but hell yes! That is a silly question.

I cannot really comment on the UK as I've never worked there. I previously though however that UK crime etc was very similar to Ireland, but just watchin Pat & Karl on Road Wars, I reckon is proof enough that the UK probably just hide it well. If not, Slough is one KIP! (sorry Slough residents), but they see more action in an hour than I see in a month. (Yes yes, I mean at work!)...

Anyway, as for Ireland, I personally do not see the necessity in arming all officers. Gun crime towards officers is not common enough to justify it yet. "It only takes once I hear you say", but having done this for a while I reckon that it would make many situations worse. Particularly when mucking into a good Saturday night scrap, and worrying about loosing the piece!
All of that said, I think we need to be issued less lethal weapons NOW. We've no OC spray for God's sake, and just got body armour 2 weeks ago. Also, I'd support the introduction of uniforms ARV's as in the UK. come 2am, you cannot find an armed member to save your life. (no pun intended).

P.S.: Anyone know what other countries have unarmed Police?... New Zealand??

Have a look at this. Our new Police Chief Inspector of our Inspectorate (internal affairs), is a former Boston PD Commish. This report which was published yesterday refers heavily to an incident in 2000 when Gardai here shot a mentally ill guy who was armed with a shot gun, killing him. Former Boston Commish O'Toole's American-ism shines through in her fantastic recommendations.

It's heavy enough reading if your not from here, but scroll to the equipment bits. She basically says: OC Spray, Tazers, Ballistic Shields, Armoured Rescue Vehicles, Mobile Command Vehicles, Digital Radios, Bean Bag Rounds, More Guns, More Firing Ranges, More Training, Loud Speaker Systems, Lighting Systems..... and all of it NOW!... Funny thing is, we've wanted all this stuff for years, but now that she's said it, they'll most likey listen... Gotta love those Americans.

http://www.justice.ie/80256E010039C5AF/vWeb/pcDOJA6Z2JX4-en

Click on the .pdf

More firing ranges ..... we need one to start with, one in the park is gone so is Templemore. We use the army's one which is wholly in adequate for our needs. We work in urban situations. We need mock buildings etc. How about using the Fair City set in RTÉ in Donnybrook???

But also look at this EU regulations state it must all go out to public tender so cheapest bidder wins.

Simple lanyards will prevent loosing piece during a punch up, PSNI have them.

I agree though no chance of getting a Sierra unit at night.

Gun crime not the big eh? Wanna come for a spin in the Kilo one of these nights, few few armed calls, shots at houses, threatened with weapons. I live in the Romeo but look at my house, not as easy going as the Papa or Golf areas

But I see your point. Good think an American is heading the inspectorate, swap me mondeo for a 29ltr 6 foot to the gallon Crown Vic or CSI Miami Hummer ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Thats a simple training issue and quite easy to deal with.

You ever get to Georgia, and I will take you to a very nice range.

Amen Brother.

When (if ever ) we get the new training centre built in Cookstown you'll be able to scoot up and use it. It's now gone to a training establishment for PSNI, NIPS, NI Ambulance Service and NI Fire Brigade. I think by the time it's finished it's gonna need to stretch as far as Dublin to accommodate everyone who is going to use it.

Rumor is some of our lot will train up there aswell to accomidate cross border relations lol