[Pierre]

Originally Posted by Derek

Are you saying the public in the UK (let's not forget the Police are all members of the public) are so useless they can't be trusted the same way virtually every other country in the world is?

No idea what point you're trying to make there as you haven't made it very well. I don't think the public, and you can correct me here, are armed......generally. I would also assume that the very vast majority of the public, and most of the police for that matter, have even handled a weapon let alone fired one.

Do you think handling a fire arm is just a case of training somebody how to pull the trigger?

I doubt we could afford the continuous training and assessment required to have all of our officers armed, or do you suggest something like a 3 day training course with a refresher every year?

I certainly wouldn't want someone with that level of training walking the street with a side arm.

Then are you also suggesting that only those that pass the relevent training and psychological aptitude test are allowed to carry a sidearm? It can't be a matter of choice you either arm all police or keep the current system.

I would argue we would lose many serving officers that a) didn't want to carry a weapon and b) failed to pass the required level to carry a weapon.

Then what about those that actuall fire their weapons, I can already see the claims for PTSD and being pensioned off fully filing in.

I have to question the motives of the beat officer that requests the use of a weapon, probably been watching too many american cop shows.

That a Police recruit in England, Wales and Scotland is less capable than one in Northern Ireland?

Possibly, but the PSNI and it's forebears have always carried weapons and the public are used to that, and the recruits that join know that they will have to carry a weapon.

Most UK officers did not join expecting to carry a weapon, unless they specifically put themselves forward to do so.

The army manage to train 16 year olds to handle pistols, rifles and heavier weaponry quite well, why would a Police officer, older and with more life experience be any less safe?

This is not apples with apples.

Happily go on patrol in Helmand would you?