Unarmed Policing

[DanaC]

After two police officers were killed in the execution of their duty, the question of whether or not the British police service should be routinely armed has arisen again.

I found this article really interesting:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19641398

But one thing is clear. When asked, police officers say overwhelmingly that they wish to remain unarmed.

A 2006 survey of 47,328 Police Federation members found 82% did not want officers to be routinely armed on duty, despite almost half saying their lives had been "in serious jeopardy" during the previous three years.

The article looks at the very particular relationship the police force has to the public, it's history and how it has developed into an unarmed force.