Page 8 - Top Cover Issue 9

“Quality Insurance
8 TOP COVER ISSUE 9

VIEWPOINT

“I … understand that the at Internet Prices!”

job comes with a unique

set of issues and pressures.”

Save up to 40% on your Insurance, for all Members

of the Police Firearms Officers Association and Partners

WRITTEN BY MIKE PENNING,
MINISTER FOR POLICING, CRIME, CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND VICTIMS

t has been longstanding policy in kill somebody. It is a testament to your technology can improve the way you
this country that the police should training, skills and judgement that the interact with the public, as well as
not generally be armed. I believe this loss of life is extremely rare. dramatically reducing bureaucracy and
gives character to our policing that we Having served on operations in saving police time. Around the country, MOTOR INSURANCE
should not readily give up. It is vital Northern Ireland with the British body-worn video is transforming the way
at promoting good relations with the Army I appreciate the dangers firearms you gather evidence and boosting public
public and underpins our model of officers put themselves in everyday. I also confidence in the police.
Ipolicing by consent. However, I know understand that the job comes with a I have seen first-hand how this HOME INSURANCE
that on the thankfully rare occasions unique set of issues and pressures. technology in everyday policing
when specialist armed officers are needed There is no question that firearms allows officers to capture and manage
to confront an imminent threat to life officers cannot be exempt from the rule evidence more efficiently and I believe, MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE
or serious injury, officers like you can be of law and must use a proportionate level if implemented appropriately, it will
called upon. of force when faced with violent and life be incredibly beneficial for firearms
I know what a tremendous job you do threatening situations. operations. Some of you will have
when voluntarily putting yourselves in However, high-profile cases such as been part of a year-long pilot within
harm’s way to protect the public. the fatal shootings of Mark Duggan the Metropolitan, Staffordshire and
I know how you face great risks as and Azelle Rodney have seen the work South Wales forces with the aim of
you go about your work and how you of firearms officers put under the understanding how body-worn video
are often the first to respond when microscope. Half of the officers who can be used in a firearms setting. I look
dangerous, unexpected scenarios arise. discharge their weapon end up leaving forward to hearing the views of officers
Your dedication demonstrates the true the police, regardless of whether it was when the pilot concludes shortly and
spirit of British policing. found that the level of force used was hope it will lead to further successful
British firearms officers make up just proportionate to the situation. implementation of this innovative
4.6% of the police force in England This undoubtedly puts pressure on technology.
and Wales and are some of the most firearms officers while you carry out your As Minister for Policing, Crime, Everything Taken Care Of
highly skilled and well trained officers duties and poses questions in the minds Criminal Justice and Victims, I am
on our streets. Between 2008 and 2014, of police officers thinking of signing up determined to make sure our firearms
there have been over 111,300 incidents to become an armed police officer. That officers are better equipped for modern-
where firearms officers have responded is why the Home Office has asked DCC day crime prevention and ensure they are
to emergency calls or taken part in Simon Chesterman to raise the issue of supported appropriately as they work in
intelligence based operations. In that morale and officer welfare at the Armed extremely stressful situations.
time there have been only 25 incidents Policing Working Group to understand Our British firearms officers, who Call 0161 762 4416 NOW!
where firearms were discharged by what more can be done to support volunteer into this role to protect the
officers. firearms officers, whether they have had communities they serve, are some of the
On all those occasions, within highly to discharge their weapon or not. bravest members of our society and we
pressurised environments, our firearms Policing on the whole is changing owe them our deepest gratitude for the or visit www.policeinsure.co.uk
officers have had to make split second which brings its own challenges but also work they carry out ■
decisions whether to shoot and possibly opportunities. We know that modern
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