In the line of duty

[William]

So far as gun deaths go, primarily suicides and gang violence due to the War on Drugs. Take those numbers out and there is little difference between US and the UK.

Sorry Peter, I don't follow you. We are not talking about gun deaths (which are about 33,000 a year in the US) - we are talking about people killed by the police. 917 against 6 is not 'little difference', and the UK has both gang violence and drug problems. I'm not attacking your country - I'm providing info to make people think about the problem, and that there might be a better way to deal with these things. Something that avoids innocent, unarmed people being killed by trigger happy cops.

[Peter1469]

Sorry Peter, I don't follow you. We are not talking about gun deaths (which are about 33,000 a year in the US) - we are talking about people killed by the police. 917 against 6 is not 'little difference', and the UK has both gang violence and drug problems. I'm not attacking your country - I'm providing info to make people think about the problem, and that there might be a better way to deal with these things. Something that avoids innocent, unarmed people being killed by trigger happy cops.

OK, I stand corrected.

I think most shooting deaths by cops are in our bad neighborhoods. Places where the cops are on edge just being there.

If UK police had to deal with these areas they would also be armed. Or avoid the area altogether.

[William]

OK, I stand corrected.

I think most shooting deaths by cops are in our bad neighborhoods. Places where the cops are on edge just being there.

If UK police had to deal with these areas they would also be armed. Or avoid the area altogether.

I understand what you are saying, but you do know that the UK (specially London) has some pretty bad neighbourhoods too? The big difference is because of the UK laws, the crims are usually not armed, so AFIK the unarmed Bobbies patrol those places just like any other. I think the difference comes from the police culture and the public's attitude to the police. I have never thought of the police as something to be scared of, but I must admit that I don't like seeing police officers walking around with guns - like they do in Australia. I much prefer the way the Brits handle it.

[Peter1469]

I understand what you are saying, but you do know that the UK (specially London) has some pretty bad neighbourhoods too? The big difference is because of the UK laws, the crims are usually not armed, so AFIK the unarmed Bobbies patrol those places just like any other. I think the difference comes from the police culture and the public's attitude to the police. I have never thought of the police as something to be scared of, but I must admit that I don't like seeing police officers walking around with guns - like they do in Australia. I much prefer the way the Brits handle it.

A lot more are armed in the UK now.

[William]

A lot more are armed in the UK now.

Well of course police stationed at places like embassies, etc. are armed, and the tactical armed response groups have been increased, but the Bobby on the beat is unarmed, and that makes up the vast majority of the police. The ordinary policemen has been given the option to be armed many times, but they refuse each time. They say that if they are armed, even the petty crims (like burglars) will feel they have to go armed, which will make their jobs more difficult and more dangerous, and will also put the public at greater risk. Makes sense to me.

[resister]

Well of course police stationed at places like embassies, etc. are armed, and the tactical armed response groups have been increased, but the Bobby on the beat is unarmed, and that makes up the vast majority of the police. The ordinary policemen has been given the option to be armed many times, but they refuse each time. They say that if they are armed, even the petty crims (like burglars) will feel they have to go armed, which will make their jobs more difficult and more dangerous, and will also put the public at greater risk. Makes sense to me.

Gotta throw a flag on this, are you saying criminals will arm up to "protect" themselves from armed cops?

[Peter1469]

Well of course police stationed at places like embassies, etc. are armed, and the tactical armed response groups have been increased, but the Bobby on the beat is unarmed, and that makes up the vast majority of the police. The ordinary policemen has been given the option to be armed many times, but they refuse each time. They say that if they are armed, even the petty crims (like burglars) will feel they have to go armed, which will make their jobs more difficult and more dangerous, and will also put the public at greater risk. Makes sense to me.

I would think that in parts of the US cops would not have to be armed to be effective.

But in many areas that is not the case.

[William]

Gotta throw a flag on this, are you saying criminals will arm up to "protect" themselves from armed cops?

That is the opinion of the UK constabulary.

[William]

I would think that in parts of the US cops would not have to be armed to be effective.

But in many areas that is not the case.

Again, I understand, and I also understand that because most of the US population is armed, it would be silly for the police to be unarmed.

[waltky]

Indiana State Police Trooper Shot in the Head...

Indiana State Police Trooper Shot in the Head
December 13, 2017 - Officials said that 79-year-old Oscar Kays became combative and pulled out a handgun and opened fire on Trooper Morgenn Evans Tuesday night.

An Indiana State Police trooper was shot and wounded during a traffic stop Tuesday night. Trooper Morgenn Evans pulled over a gray 1999 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck for a traffic infraction near the intersection of Park and Jefferson Streets in Jeffersonville around 7:05 p.m. when the incident occurred, according to a news release.

Trooper Morgenn Evans

Officials said that 79-year-old Oscar Kays became combative and pulled out a handgun and shot Evans in the head. The trooper was able to return fire at Kays as he fled the scene.Evans got back to his police car and gave chase a short distance but Kays was able to escape and returned to his home on Huston Drive. Soon after he taken into custody by the Jeffersonville City police officers and Clark County Sheriff's deputies.

Evans, who joined the force in October 2016, was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Kays was transported to the hospital with unknown injuries. Following his release from the hospital, he was charged with Attempted Murder of a Police Officer and taken to the Clark County Jail.

https://www.officer.com/tactical/fir...ot-in-the-head