'It would change the power dynamic': police officers on carrying guns

The Police Federation will ask officers in England and Wales whether they want to routinely carry a gun in the first national survey of its kind in more than ten years. Unlike their counterparts in Northern Ireland, most police in Great Britain are traditionally unarmed as routine arming is controversial and many do not support it.

Last month the Guardian revealed that police chiefs discussed the possibility of arming all frontline officers to counter the threat of terrorism after four attacks happened in three months. We asked serving and former police officers to share their experiences and tell us whether they think all officers should carry a gun.

‘In all my years in Northern Ireland I never discharged my firearm’

Former police officer, with 30 years experience, in Northern Ireland

In all my years countering terrorism and armed criminal activity in Northern Ireland I only had to resort to the clearing of my firearm from its holster on a couple of occasions to effect an arrest. Thankfully I did not have to discharge the firearm. I believe all front line officers should be armed whilst on duty with both a Taser and a firearm.

Part of a police officer’s duty is to protect life. Every day officers put their own lives on the line to protect the community whether it be criminal attacks with weapons or terrorist elements with whatever means they have at their disposal to take life. I believe that training programmes in place, rigorous procedures and current legislation and common law will help maintain confidence by the public in police response to serious crimes. I also think the public would be reassured that police representing their community would have the means at their disposal to offer protection.

‘Arming all officers would change the power dynamic between the police and the public’

Serving police officer, with nine years experience, in London

I do not want to be armed. I believe that the relationship between the British police and the public we serve is amongst the best in the world, and arming all officers would change the power dynamic. We need the right balance and I think we have it. Yes, there are examples of excessive uses of force and problems with institutional racism in the police, but you’re unlikely to be shot.

I do this job because I want to help people. When you call police because your partner is assaulting you and you need help, you’re not inviting potentially fatal violence into your home. Just a person who wants to help you keep you safe. Once all officers are armed the stakes are raised for criminals. The vast majority of them know and understand that they are going to survive any fight with us. They want to escape and will use violence to achieve that, but because they don’t generally fear for their lives they don’t try to kill us. That would change.

‘I still remember the look of fear when they saw us with weapons’

Former police officer, with 15 years experience, in East of England

Before entering the police I was in the army and served in south-east Asia. To this day, I still remember the look of fear on so many people’s faces when they saw men with weapons. I also look to the USA where the norm has become for police officers to shoot first and ask questions later if they are at all “concerned” about their safety. I would be totally opposed to arming all officers and I can’t think of any benefits.

‘Dialogue will be key in deciding what is best’

Serving police officer, with 26 years experience, in North East of England

I would feel fine about being armed. I’ve lost count of the number of incidents I’ve been called to and then had to wait at a safe distance whilst an armed team was called in. Officers like myself are not asking to necessarily be trained to the standard of a firearms officer working in armed response, just the ability to protect people. One just needs to think about situations where unarmed officers have died because they did not have a firearm to defend themselves and others.

An example includes the Hungerford massacre in 1987 where 16 people were shot and a police officer died. In the case of the Raoul Moat manhunt, unarmed police were told to return to their stations. Imagine what it must have been like to sit in a station whilst a manhunt was underway knowing you could not help protect the public? The public appear to want more armed officers and I think dialogue will be key in deciding what is best.

‘My main concern is the capability of all officers to carry and use weapons’

Former police officer with 20 years experience

I still think that arming all police officers is a huge mistake; not everyone is capable of carrying and safely using a firearm and there will be more deaths as a result. Look to America as an example of why all police should be armed - it takes away any incentive for officers to try and talk through a situation. Granted, there will be times when an officer will need a gun during their career but not many. Officers should receive more conflict management training and be equipped with non-lethal weapons as well as improving their self-defence techniques.

I used firearms in the military so have some experience, but I would not trust most of my former colleagues with a baton, never mind a Glock. My main concern is the capability of all police officers to carry and use weapons. I have worked with officers who have left radios in victims homes and instead took the TV remote. Firearms would obviously be useful as a last resort defensive tool but it would mean that terrorists have managed to force us across a line that armed criminal gangs have not yet achieved - it would be a tragic overreaction.

‘I am armed and the reaction from the public has been positive’

Serving police officer, with 10 years experience, in South West England

I underwent firearms training, am armed and make a point of conducting regular foot patrols in urban areas with a pistol clearly visible at my side. The reaction from members of the public has been universally positive. I am often approached and thanked for what I do. Families approach me regularly so their children can ask questions about what we do and what kit we carry. I take time to explain our role and have been welcomed into cafés and shops carrying guns. There has been no discernible apprehension and the public tell me it’s a reflection of the times in which we live.

Some start firearms training and withdraw early in the process. The job is not for everyone and is different to everyday policing. We appear to be nearing the point at which all those wanting to carry guns, and with the ability to do so, have put themselves forward. Tasers, on the other hand, offer a less-lethal option which should be universally available to prevent serious injury to officers and subjects.

For all officers to be armed, training would have to be lower to ensure all recruits got through. It would then be of no use to anyone and would simply lead to multiple investigations of improper firearms use. At the moment we have training every 12 weeks to re-test our shooting ability as well as learn new tactics and techniques. Provided training remains at its current high standard the public should only feel reassured.

‘If it became compulsory to be armed I would resign’

Serving police officer, with 25 years experience, in London

The Taser is unlikely to be lethal and is a tactical option. All officers should be trained, however they do not need to patrol with a Taser on a regular basis. I can only envisage the need for all officers to be armed or to have ready access to firearms in more rural settings where armed resources are some distance away.

Armed police in the UK are carefully selected and are highly trained. They complete regular exercises for a wide variety of scenarios. To arm every officer, and to expect them to perform to the same high standard would require that level of training to be maintained. There are simply not enough police officers to allow for this level of training whilst maintaining day to day police business.

To fully arm the police would lead to a reduction in standards with an increase in risk. Not all police officers are suitable to carry firearms. If it became compulsory to be armed I would resign. The public would not accept a reduction in standards, and rightly so. Much of policing is reliant on public acceptance. That is the basis of British polcing.