Armed cops in Met Police hand in weapons in protest after officer charged with murder of Chris Kaba
24 September 2023, 07:37 | Updated: 25 September 2023, 09:47
Armed cops in the Metropolitan Police are handing in their weapons in protest after an officer was charged with the murder of Chris Kaba.
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Kaba was killed by a single bullet in a shooting in Streatham Hill on September 6 last year.
The father-to-be's death sparked protests against the police as his family called for justice over the 24-year-old's death.
Cops have now started their own protest, with some officers concerned about how the charge affects them, their colleagues, and families.
"We are in ongoing discussions with those officers to support them and to fully understand the genuinely held concerns that they have," a Met spokesperson said.
"The Met has a significant firearms capability and we continue to have armed response teams deployed in communities across London to keep the public safe."
This police officer tells of the lack of 'support' for Met officers
One anonymous officer who is on "reflective leave" told LBC the police force is not being supportive of those who have taken the decision to step back, adding that some senior managers have taken a "combative" stance.
"We understand as armed officers in London that if we have to take that ultimate action that justice has to be seen to be done, and that our actions will come under the most forensic of scrutiny," he told LBC.
"However, under Mark Rowley and the senior leadership team, we are just not getting the right level of support to be able to do that job.
"It's almost being treated with detriment that we've decided to take this period of reflection and so in terms of being supporting and listening to us, that's not correct I'm afraid."
"We are in ongoing discussions with those officers to support them and to fully understand the genuinely held concerns that they have.
"The Met has a significant firearms capability and we continue to have armed response teams deployed in communities across London to keep the public safe."
Read More: Police officer charged with murdering Chris Kaba released on bail
Raed More: Police officer charged with murder after shooting of Chris Kaba in south London
Commissioner of the Met Sir Mark Rowley has said he understood why officers had taken the decision to reflect on "such weighty responsibilities".
"Our firearms officers... are not only prepared to confront the armed and dangerous to protect London's communities but they do so recognising the uniquely intense and lengthy personal accountability they will face for their split-second operational decisions," Sir Mark said in a statement.
"I understand why many of them are reflecting on the potential price of such weighty responsibilities.
"Bravery comes in many forms. When officers have the levels of uncertainty and worry I saw in my colleagues today, simply going in and doing their jobs not knowing what incidents are ahead of them is courageous."
The police officer who was charged with Mr Kaba's murder has not been named publicly.
