Press Officer Rick Purnell writes ….

Teignmouth Probus Club’s April speaker, Ray Helm, provided an insight into the split second decision making and consequences facing a firearms police officer who uses his weapon. A police officer holds the right ‘to use minimum force necessary’, it is a personal call, it is the courts to decide if lawful or not.

Up to 20% of British police carry firearms, unlike many other countries where 100% are armed.

Our police are not trained to kill but to protect life and to stop an action. All police carry a weapon ranging from a baton, taser or a firearm and usage can be classified as Lethal (likely to be fatal), non-lethal (disabling like a punch in the face) or less lethal (like a tase which is less likely to be fatal).

As an enquiry always follows the use of a firearm, the consequences often play a psychological deterrent in favour of the criminal and shooting first is usually instinctive for self-preservation.

Role play ensued to demonstrate that the decision when to pull the trigger is not easy and the outcome for officers and their families endure if the wrong decision has been made.

A retired Ex-Met Police Officer member Colin Hay gave the vote of thanks.

Our March meetings held the interest of our members with an historical talk about Lawrence Castle (Haldon Belvedere) and its connections with the East India Company and the times of the Indian Raj,

Followed by our second march meeting with a talk about the work of Commonwealth War Graves Commission and our nearest site in Bovey Tracey.

 

Note: The Haldon Belvedere and Commonwealth War Graves Commission reports were not published as Community News for the Teignmouth Post & Gazette was very limited over the Easter period.