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FEATURE ARTICLE - E7
WE SLEEP SAFELY IN OUR BEDS BECAUSE ROUGH

MEN STAND READY IN THE NIGHT TO VISIT

VIOLENCE ON THOSE WHO WOULD DO US HARM

hilst walking aimlessly through my local shopping The decision to charge has once again put the spotlight on
centre on a bright sunny day, trying hard to armed policing and the decisions we as volunteers have to
entertain my three girls and stop them making make on a daily basis. That small band of brothers and sisters
me bankrupt at the same time, I am nudged who put themselves on offer every day to intervene between
back into reality by the familiar vibration of my phone. I take the the public and unarmed colleagues.
opportunity to check my phone and regain some adult contact
and notice the Facebook alert. Oh good, another Candy Crush Whilst I reflected on the news I became aware of another
request or gym update!! significant story. I say significant only because it was significant
to me. To most it would have not registered, however I had
Nothing could have been further from the truth when I read the been following it throughout. The story was that of a conviction
update from the PFOA; for attempted murder following an attack on an unarmed PC
who was attending a routine job in the early hours and was
“PFOA Statement on CPS decision to charge E7” flashes up on my shot through the door of a flat in Leeds. Unarmed, unprepared
phone and I stop, dead, in the middle of the walkway. I pause and ultimately unprotected she took the brunt of a sawn off
to take in the words. My eldest daughter, aged nine asks “What’s shotgun fired by a schizophrenic who laughed as he rode away
wrong, Daddy”? threatening to fire again. A small number of AFOs then took up
the search knowing what had happened and knowing they may
For a moment I don’t know what to say, and then I simply say be required to make the ultimate decision. Has that received the
“Daddy has just read something that has shocked him”. My same level of public outcry? I will leave you to ponder that.
daughter knows exactly what I do in the police, she is proud of
her father being one of the few-armed police officers in our force. As firearms officers we all understand the implications of what
How do you tell a nine year old that what Daddy does will never we do. I have been involved in enforced stops, the same tactic
be the same again? used in Edgware. Does this decision change how we perform it?
No, every AFO wants it to go by the book. Does it go like that
On the journey home and the subsequent hours I spent time every time? No, but our professionalism and desire to protect
reflecting on what was now all over the rolling news. I reflected the public make us do the best we can.
on what effect this decision had on me. Then I realised how selfish
that was, how this decision affected a lot more than just me. I am lucky that as a PFOA coach I am aware of the effect my
comments can have on others and as a result I shall endeavour to
As a CFI in a rural force I am very fortunate that none of the staff I answer the myriad questions that will come from this decision.
have the privilege to train have had to fire that potentially lethal I am also aware of the effect the forthcoming coverage and trial
shot. I am however extremely confident that should they ever will have on my family. This is still nothing compared to the
have to make that decision, they would make it without fear or impact on E7 and his family. Small consolation is the support
favour. the PFOA will give.

The decision regarding E7 may have changed that. We are Ultimately this will change Armed Policing forever, as all the
currently going through a collaboration, which will make some previous inquests and enquiries have also done. Will this stop
of the officers re-evaluate their position. Has the murder charge people wanting to carry on? Will this prevent people applying
made this any harder? As I sat there thinking about the incident for the role? The one question that remains for me is “Has this
itself I realised that I knew little of the actual facts. I know what decision weakened the resolve of AFOs to carry on doing what
has been reported. I know what I have been told by people who we do?” The reality is I cannot answer on behalf of my peers; I
were there. I can make assumptions on what, as a tactical advisor can however answer for myself. I am prepared to carry on.
and experienced AFO and instructor, I think actually took place.
Do I actually know what happened? No. Whilst asking these questions I am reminded of a George Orwell
quote:
The only person who knows what took place in that split second
is E7. Nine years and a public enquiry do not give people the “We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready
ability to see into the past and understand what took place in a in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm”
street in Edgware in April 2005. However the judge at the enquiry
has made a public statement that appears to do just that. Sir Will those rough men (and women) be there after this? I still WRITTEN BY STU BROWN
Christopher Holland ruled that there was “no lawful justification” believe they will and for that I want to thank each and every
for the shooting. That statement alone caused major waves in the one.
small pool of authorised firearms officers. I sit here now and I find
myself asking what will every AFO be thinking today? - George Orwell