Home Secretary orders review into armed police after murder charge
Several Met Police officers stepped back in the wake of Chris Kaba's death
Last updated 25th Sep 2023
The Home Secretary has ordered a review into armed policing after several Metropolitan Police officers stepped back in the wake of a murder charge regarding a shooting.
Suella Braverman explained that those carrying armed weapons have to make "split-second decisions" in their jobs, adding that officers "mustn't fear ending up in the dock for carrying out their duties".
The review comes after a large number of Met Police officers who use firearms stood down their weapons.
Things worsened for the force when an officer appeared in court charged with murder on Thursday (September 21st).
Chris Kaba, an aspiring rapper, was unarmed when he was shot and killed last year in South London.
Aged 24. his death triggered a wave of condemnation from black rights activists, with hundreds attending vigils and protests in Chris' honour.
In the wake of the charge made against the officer - named only as NX121 - the incident caused many officers to "step back from armed duties while they consider their position".
Since the charge was made, over 100 police officers have stepped back from their firearms permits, the BBC said.
In order to make up for the mass walkout from armed officers, neighbouring forces were drafted in to keep the capital safe on Saturday night (September 23rd).
In a statement, the Home Secretary said that the public relies on these officers to keep the country safe.
"In the interest of public safety they have to make split-second decisions under extraordinary pressures," she said.
"They mustn't fear ending up in the dock for carrying out their duties. Officers risking their lives to keep us safe have my full backing and I will do everything in my power to support them.
"That's why I have launched a review to ensure they have the confidence to do their jobs while protecting us all."
Officers who have stepped back from their responsibilities are also being supported by the Met to help them "fully understand the genuinely held concerns that they have".
A spokesperson for the force said: "The Met has a significant firearms capability and we continue to have armed officers deployed in communities across London as well as at other sites including Parliament, diplomatic premises, airports etc."
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