To my fellow officers in Britain

**McCrackhd** · 08-07-11, 02:12 PM

Disclaimer: This question has nothing to do with the riots, actually been wondering for a while.

I know, traditionally, British cops do not carry sidearms. But someone mentioned several years ago that y'all started carrying due to the increase in violent gangs in Britain, especially London. So...do you or don't you?

BTW, stay safe during the riots!!

**Xiphos** · 08-07-11, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by McCrackhd

Disclaimer: This question has nothing to do with the riots, actually been wondering for a while.

I know, traditionally, British cops do not carry sidearms. But someone mentioned several years ago that y'all started carrying due to the increase in violent gangs in Britain, especially London. So...do you or don't you?

BTW, stay safe during the riots!!

They have some cops trained in armed response units. I'll let the Brits here explain the logistics of it but my take is that line guys get a call for someone who is armed and the armed guys have to get called out and get permission to deploy their firearms. Meanwhile an hour goes by with the unarmed line guys handling shit themselves.

It's sort of like us waiting for SWAT to show up, gear up, and put a plan together (which is why we seem to be moving more toward "every cop his own SWAT team" to deal with the immediate threat when needed.)

**Trojan 42** · 08-08-11, 03:31 AM

I can only speak for London.

There are Armed Response Vehicles patrolling 24/7. They have a 3 man crew in each. Tasers, Glocks, MP5's, some have G36's and some carry a rifle too. They only deal with calls regarding weapons (including blades). They do not need permission to deploy at any call, or even be assigned to an incident for them to attend. Most incidents requiring them can be reached in a few minutes.

There is a Tactical Support Group with more kit and armoured vehicles on standby at the base.

If it's major incident a SWAT type team (12 man) is at the base 24/7 (and sometimes half the team will be out on patrol too). Another Team is on call for immediate return to work. There are 12 such teams.

**Tango Zulu 22** · 08-08-11, 04:25 AM

My neck of the woods runs ARV's 24/7.
They are double crewed, standard kit is a taser, sidearm & G36 carbine each and a single Baton Gun for longer range less lethal options.

**Xiphos** · 08-08-11, 11:44 AM

That's better than I thought. Nice!

**McCrackhd** · 08-08-11, 01:01 PM

So, the normal beat cops don't carry firearms? What happens if they come across a perp with a gun? I know y'all get special (meaning better than us) training in disarming edged weapons, but not much you can do against a gun. Or is that just such a slim chance that the brass won't justify sidearms?

One of the reasons I ask, is that Germany (from what my German freinds have told me) has very strict gun laws. You can't carry a pistol on you like in the U.S., only to and from a firing range. And it has to be in a secure box and unloaded during transport. You can have a pistol in your home for self-defense, though. Polizei carry sidearms just in case. Why don't y'all?

**jcsdscott** · 08-08-11, 02:19 PM

I have to admit now I'm curious as well.

**CTR man** · 08-09-11, 01:32 AM

Originally Posted by McCrackhd

One of the reasons I ask, is that Germany (from what my German friends have told me) has very strict gun laws. You can't carry a pistol on you like in the U.S., only to and from a firing range. And it has to be in a secure box and unloaded during transport. You can have a pistol in your home for self-defense, though. Polizei carry sidearms just in case. Why don't y'all?

Sounds like a Liberal Californian's best dream.

**Trojan 42** · 08-09-11, 02:50 AM

Originally Posted by McCrackhd

So, the normal beat cops don't carry firearms? What happens if they come across a perp with a gun?

Nope, no guns.

It is extremely rare for cops here to encounter anyone with a firearm. You can't own a pistol here, unless it's black powder or .22 etc. Shotguns can only be owned with a licence and your home is inspected to check you have a gun safe to secure them in. And you have to have a valid reason to have them.

Weapons are becoming more common, but generally gang on gang.

**Motorwaycop** · 08-09-11, 08:22 AM

Same here armed patrols 24/7 but generally need duty officers permission to deploy at an incident, unless of course it is spontaneous and they just happen across it.
They only run three or four cars in my county and they are also used for other police duties.
But as trojan rightly says it is pretty uncommon for normal officers to encounter firearms being used against them specifically.
There is an increased availablilty and use of taser as edged weapons are still our most common foe!
If you have no criminal record it's not to difficult to get a shotgun certificate, but it is subject to not just background but physical checks re security etc as well.
You will not get permission for any kind of firearm other than .22 generally.
Oh and things like pepper spray also fall ,strangely you will think, into the same category as a firearm so you can't have that either!
Most of the shootings are still gang on gang and it's often the same weapon being passed around and used by multiple people.
Although having recently travelled through one of our ports it would be pretty easy to bring stuff into the UK from eastern europe where getting hold of firearms is fairly easy.

we tried to get this through customs but they were having none of it