From what you see and hear in the media, these are dangerous times to be wearing a uniform that represents an agency of the state, be it a member of the police or armed forces..
Advice made public that soldiers should avoid wearing their uniform off military premises or that police should not travel to or from work in 'half blues' as it would potentially make them targets reinforces the notion that it is not a matter of 'if' but 'when'
Targeted even in civvies and off duty is suggested as the motive for the assault on the off duty PC Neil Doyle on Merseyside
Drip fed general advice from the centre, rounded off with the usual 'work continues to reassure and keep our communities safe' does little to reassure.
The incident in France where a male charges into a police station attacking officers with a knife was quickly dealt with by him being shot dead by an officer at the venue.
A similar incident in the UK would likely end up in the immediate incident with officers going toe to toe armed only with a metal stick and spray and just the usual general brave physical approach
In a country that has a media and specific interest groups that bleat about the use and roll out of Taser , the suggestion we would generally arm police to defend themselves and the community against such fanatics is bluer than 'blue sky thinking'
It would have to be anarchy before I would hold a gun for the state. I have a huge admiration for those AFO's who sign out a weapon at the start of the shift and carry for the organisation. Reality is, if you ever have to use it you are in the stocks before you put pen to paper.
We are in a world were someone has to be blamed, there has to be someone at fault, despite reviews ...'justice has to be done'.
Desperately sad things happen in this world. I don't think any police officer starts the shift with any intention to harm or take the life of any individual. We deal with constant on going situations and calls 24/7. Despite out best intentions sometimes things go wrong.
It seems to me that the families, the interest groups and the media followers are interested in 'justice' only if it goes their way.
Anger spreads and the overspill follows.
The two officers in New York shot dead as they were sat in their patrol car in a crime reduction initiative are examples to that.
I feel no support other than bland pre penned words from Senior management and clearly NONE from the political class at Westminster.
I read somewhere that some officers turned their back on the mayor of NY at a meeting as a sign of disgust at his response to the media clamour.
I would probably be spinning like a top if I was forced to sit in a room with much of our so called political leaders
I think that what we all know for those who work in this environment is basically we only have each other for support be it the UK , America or France.
To the police family out there, be it the UK or anywhere we a trying to do the same job in ever dangerous circumstances
PC Neil Doyle of Merseyside...officers Liu Wenjin and Raphael Ramos of NYPD... RIP
Take care
