we actually did it because they finally agreed to stop the routine arming of officers here. i cant even explain how much it means that all of you stood behind this. we have to make sure they stick to their word now but for today lets just celebrate that the …
October 27, 2014
Final supporters
Police Scotland chief constable Sir Stephen House is refusing to reconsider his decision to routinely arm officers in the region, one of the safest places to live in the UK, despite councillors, Highland MSPs and local MP Danny Alexander urging him to do so and in the face of growing public concern.
The Inverness Courier believes there is no justification for police in the Highlands to routinely carry sidearms in full view while undertaking routine patrols and that the move, made without public consultation, threatens the police's relationship with the people they serve.
If you agree, please sign our petition. We will ensure your views are heard at Holyrood.
Updates
August 9, 2014
just saw that we hit 250 signatures and im honestly blown away. its pretty clear that people around here dont want armed officers on our streets for no reason. thanks for sticking with this.
Reached 250 supporters
August 6, 2014
August 3, 2014
im still reading through all the stories people are leaving here and it really drives home why we need to push back against these routine patrols. ive been working on getting our concerns in front of the right people at holyrood so they cant just keep ignoring us.
Reached 100 supporters
July 23, 2014
8 Comments
Britain has always had an unarmed, civilian police force and a policy of policing by consent. House and McAskill are trying to introduce an alien concept by the back door. Be assured that - whatever the result of the forthcoming referendum - if it works here in Scotland, it will be introduced in the rest of Britain. The excuse that there are only a few armed officers, and that this policy is to save time on the way to an armed response incident is spurious. Police officers carrying guns as a matter of routine on the streets of our cities, towns and villages is deeply disturbing. Please add your voice to stop this before it goes any further.
POLICING BY CONSENT. That is the whole point of our force. This is creeping authoritarianism and we need to push back now before it becomes the norm.
Ridiculous decision. We live in the highlands for a reason and don't need armed officers walking about the place like we are living in some war zone.
I do not remember any discussion about this, it just happened! This is far too serious a matter to just shrug our shoulders and say "oh well, it's done now". It is chilling to see guns on the streets no matter if carried by the police. Guns are available when necessary, giving time to think and reason before using them. Eventually criminals will arm themselves, because the police are armed, and there can be no turning back then.
This example of untouchable institutional behaviour show they forgot they are to represent us not to control us
It doesn't work to fight violence with violence. It only breeds violence.
Police openly carrying guns will always heighten tensions and feelings of unrest, even in places that have no danger whatsoever. Similar to someone staring constantly at you watching your every movement, any gun carrying authority can heighten anxiety and easily create an uneasy environment where the majority will eventually expect something negative to happen, and as a result, it eventually does. In my opinion police should not carry guns in full view, as given the negative view so many have towards the police already, that is seen as an automatic threat. Guns should really only be carried when and or where absolutely necessary. In reality however there are both good and bad police, but looking at how some gun toting police behave in the US compared to those that don't (youtube is your friend) it does make you question the outcome of our own system in many years time, and if it will be any different.
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we actually did it because they finally agreed to stop the routine arming of officers here. i cant even explain how much it means that all of you stood behind this. we have to make sure they stick to their word now but for today lets just celebrate that the …
October 27, 2014
Final supporters
Police Scotland chief constable Sir Stephen House is refusing to reconsider his decision to routinely arm officers in the region, one of the safest places to live in the UK, despite councillors, Highland MSPs and local MP Danny Alexander urging him to do so and in the face of growing public concern.
The Inverness Courier believes there is no justification for police in the Highlands to routinely carry sidearms in full view while undertaking routine patrols and that the move, made without public consultation, threatens the police's relationship with the people they serve.
If you agree, please sign our petition. We will ensure your views are heard at Holyrood.
Updates
August 9, 2014
just saw that we hit 250 signatures and im honestly blown away. its pretty clear that people around here dont want armed officers on our streets for no reason. thanks for sticking with this.
Reached 250 supporters
August 6, 2014
August 3, 2014
im still reading through all the stories people are leaving here and it really drives home why we need to push back against these routine patrols. ive been working on getting our concerns in front of the right people at holyrood so they cant just keep ignoring us.
Reached 100 supporters
July 23, 2014
8 Comments
Never asked for this. Nobody I know wants this. Stop forcing it on us.
Britain has always had an unarmed, civilian police force and a policy of policing by consent. House and McAskill are trying to introduce an alien concept by the back door. Be assured that - whatever the result of the forthcoming referendum - if it works here in Scotland, it will be introduced in the rest of Britain. The excuse that there are only a few armed officers, and that this policy is to save time on the way to an armed response incident is spurious. Police officers carrying guns as a matter of routine on the streets of our cities, towns and villages is deeply disturbing. Please add your voice to stop this before it goes any further.
POLICING BY CONSENT. That is the whole point of our force. This is creeping authoritarianism and we need to push back now before it becomes the norm.
Ridiculous decision. We live in the highlands for a reason and don't need armed officers walking about the place like we are living in some war zone.
I do not remember any discussion about this, it just happened! This is far too serious a matter to just shrug our shoulders and say "oh well, it's done now". It is chilling to see guns on the streets no matter if carried by the police. Guns are available when necessary, giving time to think and reason before using them. Eventually criminals will arm themselves, because the police are armed, and there can be no turning back then.
This example of untouchable institutional behaviour show they forgot they are to represent us not to control us
It doesn't work to fight violence with violence. It only breeds violence.
Police openly carrying guns will always heighten tensions and feelings of unrest, even in places that have no danger whatsoever. Similar to someone staring constantly at you watching your every movement, any gun carrying authority can heighten anxiety and easily create an uneasy environment where the majority will eventually expect something negative to happen, and as a result, it eventually does. In my opinion police should not carry guns in full view, as given the negative view so many have towards the police already, that is seen as an automatic threat. Guns should really only be carried when and or where absolutely necessary. In reality however there are both good and bad police, but looking at how some gun toting police behave in the US compared to those that don't (youtube is your friend) it does make you question the outcome of our own system in many years time, and if it will be any different.
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Never asked for this. Nobody I know wants this. Stop forcing it on us.