Body armour, cuffs etc.
I have to reply to some comments relating to the recent death of DC Oake.
As a police officer who has been teaching his colleagues how to use handcuffs, batons, CS, strikes etc for some seven years, I, too, asked why on earth a raid on suspected terrorists was not carried out with armed support and the use of restraints. This sort of op can never, ever be considered a "breeze" and I sincerely hope the head of whoever did so, rolls. The difficulty is the cowardice of senior officers in acting in such a way that affords their cannon-fodder some little protection, lest somebody shouts, "human rights (of the terrorist)!" It makes my blood boil that, yet again, a PC has been sacrificed before some people wise up to the reality of dealing with desperate men.
Sadly, I agree only too vociferously with the comment that only when British police officers are, "dropping like flies," will anything change.
In the meantime, as a heli-flying plod, it heartens me to read that so many of you professional rotorheads are on our side - it restores my faith in the public!