Petitioner: Garry Stagg
Status:
Closed
Date Lodged:
07 October 2014
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to prevent Sir Stephen House, Chief Constable of Scotland, from allowing armed police to routinely patrol the streets of Scottish towns and villages and cities.
Summary:
11 November 2014: The Committee agreed to close the petition, under Rule 15.7, on the basis that the petitioner no longer wishes to pursue the petition. Link to Official Report 11 November 2014
Written Submissions:
I do not believe in a routinely armed police force. Reluctantly, I accept that there is a need for a small number of police to carry weapons.
However, those weapons must be kept out of sight and securely housed, only to be deployed in exceptional circumstances and at the orders of a senior commander. Furthermore, whenever there is an operational need to remove those weapons from their secure housing, there must be full and public accountability.
I cannot accept that there is a need for officers to carry weapons in public view. I am intimidated by the possibility that armed officers, attending a routine disturbance, could be overwhelmed, causing the weapons to be either removed from them or discharged. I am disturbed that such officers are a potential target for criminals and/or terrorists, thus endangering the public around them whom they are supposed to protect. No matter how well trained, officers are human and can make mistakes. There have already been tragic incidents in Britain involving correctly deployed armed response units, leading to the deaths of innocent people. This becomes far more likely if police are carrying semi-automatic weapons on day-to-day patrol. I would urge you to please call upon the Justice Secretary to rein in Sir Stephen House and reverse this dangerous and unacceptable policy.