Dozens of Met officers refuse armed patrols after colleague's murder charge

More than 70 Metropolitan police firearms officers are refusing to go out on armed patrols after one of their colleagues was charged with murder. The charged officer, identified only as NX121, is accused of killing Chris Kaba in September last year. Some officers are declining to go out on regular armed patrol and have remained at their stations while others said they will respond only in emergency situations. Senior officers, including the Met commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, have met the firearms teams to discuss the implications of the decision to charge their colleague with murder.

Key takeaways:

• More than 70 Metropolitan police firearms officers are refusing to go out on armed patrols after one of their colleagues was charged with murder.
• The charged officer, identified only as NX121, is accused of killing Chris Kaba in September last year.
• Some officers are declining to go out on regular armed patrol and have remained at their stations while others said they will respond only in emergency situations.
• Senior officers, including the Met commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, have met the firearms teams to discuss the implications of the decision to charge their colleague with murder.
• The incident highlights the complex relationship between police officers and the use of firearms, and the potential impact that legal action against an officer can have on the morale of the entire force.