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The officer accused of his murder, named only as NX121 after an anonymity order was granted by a district judge, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court and the Old Bailey on Thursday.
Scotland Yard requested military support for counter-terrorism duties if armed officers are unavailable.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has ordered a review of the situation and controversially insisted that officers “mustn’t fear ending up in the dock for carrying out their duties”.
More than 100 officers have reportedly handed in permits allowing them to carry weapons, prompting Scotland Yard to turn to the military for assistance.
We depend on our brave firearms officers to protect us from the most dangerous & violent in society. In the interest of public safety they have to make split-second decisions under extraordinary pressures. 1/3https://t.co/kYQlxffXdH
— Suella Braverman MP (@SuellaBraverman) September 24, 2023
The crisis has emerged after an unnamed officer was charged with murder over the shooting of unarmed Chris Kaba, 24, who was killed in September last year in Streatham Hill, south London.
A Met Police spokesman told PA news agency: “The Ministry of Defence has agreed to a request to provide the Met with counter-terrorism support should it be needed.
“This is a contingency option that would only be used in specific circumstances and where an appropriate policing response was not available.
“Armed forces personnel will not be used in a routine policing capacity. We will keep the need for the support under constant review.”
The Ministry of Defence said: “We have accepted a Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) request from the Home Office to provide routine counter-terrorism contingency support to the Metropolitan Police, should it be needed.”
Mrs Braverman said she had ordered a review to ensure armed officers “have the confidence to do their job”.
The Home Secretary…
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