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Law and Disorder: The Judicial Use of Firearms

NCJ Number
152258
Journal
Criminologist Volume: 18 Issue: 3 Dated: (Autumn 1994) Pages: 159-165
Author(s)
G P Raven
Date Published
1994
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article examines arguments for and against equipping English and Welsh police forces with firearms.
Abstract
The author begins with a brief history of the Greater London police force. He discusses the changing nature of police responsibilities, and the need for adequate manpower, weapons and equipment to achieve the objectives of a modern police service. He considers the lack of respect for the law, its officers and all they stand for--the single largest reason for the disorder now occupying so much police time, effort and expenditure. He examines arguments for and against issuing sidearms to all constables on the streets of England and Wales in an attempt to reverse the situation. He includes an evaluation of the influence on English law enforcement of political union in Europe and the Channel Tunnel and the paradox that the police on one side of the channel will be armed and those on the other side will not. The author considers equipping British police officers with sidearms one way to have someone on the streets who is capable of enforcing British laws.

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