London Cops Shun Firearm Duty After Colleague Charged With Black Man's Murder

Police in Britain are not routinely armed and the small proportion who are authorised to carry guns are highly trained.

A number of London police officers have stepped back from firearms duties after a fellow officer was charged with murder over the fatal shooting of a young black man, a force spokesman said Sunday.

The highly unusual protest by officers prompted interior minister Suella Braverman to stress that firearms officers have to make "split-second decisions" and "mustn't fear ending up in the dock for carrying out their duties".

Police in Britain are not routinely armed and the small proportion who are authorised to carry guns are highly trained.