Police threaten to disarm in row over shooting of Chris Kaba

Colleagues of the firearms officer suspended over the fatal shooting of Chris Kaba are threatening to hand in their weapons in protest at the decision, in a significant challenge for Sir Mark Rowley, the new Met chief.

Dozens of armed officers are preparing to tell their bosses they are no longer willing to carry guns on patrol and will step back from the role once the late Queen’s funeral is over.

They are said to be furious at the decision to suspend the officer who shot dead Mr Kaba following a car chase last Monday in Streatham Hill, south London.

The highly trained firearms officer was placed on restricted duties but allowed to carry on working while the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigated the shooting.

Last week the police watchdog confirmed that Mr Kaba was unarmed and announced the incident was being treated as a homicide investigation.

Scotland Yard initially resisted calls from Mr Kaba’s family for the officer involved to be suspended.

But on Monday - just hours after Sir Mark took over as Met Commissioner vowing to restore trust and confidence in the force - it was announced that they would be relieved of their duties while the investigation continued.

Announcing the move, Amanda Pearson, Assistant Commissioner, said: “This decision has been reached following careful consideration of a number of factors, including the significant impact on public confidence, and in light of the Independent Office for Police Conduct announcing a homicide investigation.”

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, described the suspension as "a really important decision", which he "fully" supported.

'What's the point if our bosses don't have our backs’

But one source within the firearms command told The Telegraph: “There is real anger in the ranks about this. Firearms officers do not get any extra money to carry out their role. They are all volunteers and they are increasingly feeling ‘what is the point of doing this if our bosses do not have our backs’.

“There is no protocol requiring an officer to be suspended following a fatal shooting, it has not happened in other cases so the question is 'why now'? . This is a decision that has been taken to placate public anger pure and simple.

“But what message does this send to the officers who are going out there everyday and risking their lives?

“This has caused a great deal of upset among armed officers. Some of them have simply had enough and have said ‘that’s it, we’re out’.

“Once they have completed their duties in relation to the Queen’s funeral they are planning to hand in their tickets and step back from armed duties.”

There are around 3,200 armed officers in the Metropolitan Police and while it is not clear at this stage how many are willing to act in support of their colleague, sources have said the mood is “ugly and growing”.

If large numbers of officers opt to withdraw from armed units, it will create a major headache for the new Commissioner.

One former Met officer said: “This is going to require some very careful handling. Causing rebellion in the ranks is not the most auspicious of starts.

“Mark has let it be known he wants to restore public trust in the Met but if he does that at the expense of the loyalty of his officers then he is not going to succeed in turning things around.”

Assistant Commissioner Amanda Pearson said: “Firearms officers do a difficult and often dangerous job every day to try to protect the public and serve London.

"Our highly-trained officers continue to fulfil their duties, seizing suspected weapons, undertaking firearms warrants and responding to spontaneous incidents.

"We don’t underestimate the significant impact on the suspended officer and colleagues and that is why senior colleagues are working closely with them to ensure they are fully supported.

"Firearms officers know that on the rare occasions when they discharge their weapons, they will face intense scrutiny.

“The decision to suspend the officer does not determine the outcome of the IOPC investigation and we continue to co-operate fully with the IOPC."