INN MY VIEW
FOR John O’Connor A FORMER COMMANDER OF SCOTLAND YARD’S FLYING SQUAD
ALL police officers should be trained in the use of firearms, according to a former high-ranking detective.
John O’Connor said it was wrong that the burden of dealing with organised criminals and terrorists fell to only a few police forces.
“Before anyone joins the force they must be prepared to be firearm-trained,” he said.
“If they fail the test, they should be rejected. It means you would have a pool of people who were already trained.”
All officers on guarding posts or in response vehicles should have to carry a weapon, he said.
“It’s a reflection of the society we live in,” said the former Scotland Yard Flying Squad commander. “They should not have to call in assistance from an authorised firearms unit.
“If they are prepared to respond to incidents, officers should have the proper means to deal with it. “How can they be expected to protect the public if they can not protect themselves?
“I’m not saying officers on child protection duties or school crossing patrols should be armed. But I think any officer who is going to be called upon to deal with violence should have a weapon.
“It’s nonsensical to have an unarmed officer protecting one of the most vulnerable buildings in the UK and expect him to pose for pictures with tourists.
“Top brass have to wake up to the fact that those days are gone.” THE father of a Dunblane victim is against routinely arming Scotland’s police officers.
Dr Mick North, whose five-year-old daughter Sophie was killed, was critical of former Police Scotland chief Sir Stephen House for suggesting armed police could have helped prevent incidents like the 1996 massacre. There was widespread condemnation