Armed vs unarmed Police

[Five-Ohh]

I'm a UK officer and I do not carry a firearm. I have pepper spray and an extendable baton for protection, that's all! Many of my colleagues have stated that they would leave the service if they were required to carry a firearm.My question to US colleagues is this: Do you feel that your sidearm gives you tactical options which you couldn't afford to be without? I find my best weapon is my mouth, and that being able to talk someone down is typically enough to do my job safely. Could you do yours without the insurance a lethal-force option offers you?

 

[Patrick]

I think the biggest issue is that US citizens have the right to bear arms, unlike the UK. It makes situations much more tense and life-or-death, since you must assume that the suspect is armed and dangerous. Simply talking to the suspect in this case without any firearms would be far more dangerous, both for the officer and any bystanders.