A Black Perspective

A License To Kill.

As armed police units in London resume their roles there is a palpable collective sense of relief but are we really safe? Most of us are understandably fearful of the radicalised terrorist who has no regard for anything save his or her own views, or the drug crazed assailant willing to use violence in order to fund his drug habit, but should we really be worried about the men and women entrusted with our safety?

The difficulties in policing our streets are immense and to be honest the police officers and their commanders by and large do a tremendous job. Which is why it is such a disappointment to see some armed response officers handing in their permits following the charging of officer nx121 with the murder of motorist Chris Kaba.

A disappointment because it seems to be borne out of petulance rather than a real concern for a police officer who supposedly followed all the correct procedures and still found himself on a murder charge.

A disappointment because it shows no regard for the family who have had a loved and cherished member taken from them. This is a pivotal moment in community policing. Society as a whole expect to see justice take its course against a background of transparency and not witness it blocked at every turn by persons or agencies seeking to make excuses and create exemptions for poorly trained officers.

The announcement by Suella Braverman in parliament recently to give increased powers of stop and search to Chief constables across the region is welcomed and it is hoped that this initiative can be implemented with all the professionalism, courtesy and duty of care that we have come to expect from our police force.