Are we sure we want these people carrying guns?

[BJ]

From BBC News:

"As surveillance officers sat near Mr de Menezes on the tube, firearms officers "burst" onto the platform, said Ms Montgomery. One surveillance officer, codenamed 'Ivor', alerted them to Mr de Menezes' position."

"As the armed officers entered the train, Jean Charles stood up," said the lawyer. "He was grabbed by 'Ivor' and pushed back into his seat.

"Two firearms officers leant over Ivor (police surveillance officer) who was holding Jean Charles and [one] put his pistol against Jean Charles' head and fired. He was shot seven times and died immediately."

At the same time, one of the armed officers physically dragged 'Ivor' onto the platform while holding a gun against his chest. Ivor shouted he was a policeman and heard more shots in the carriage.

Terrified, the tube driver fled his cab - but was chased by another armed officer into the tunnel.

Ms Montgomery said: "You may think, members of the jury, that the fact the police ended up pointing a gun at another police man and mistaking a terrorised train driver for a bomber gives you a clue as to just how far wrong the operation had gone."

[ray]

Hmmm.

I have kept something I heard to myself since it happened.

I was at the home of another diver who had two people visiting, a man and a woman their jobs were as Armed police officers, and they were commenting on the shooting which had just become public knowledge.

The male officer said. The inspector asked the policeman who fired the shots," Why did you shoot him 5 times", to which the officer replied "Because I didn't have six bullets"!.

I had to bite my lip before I said something, It's bothered me a lot since .

[Steve Summers]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, although without doubt this was a terrible incident, the threat faced is without precedence in our many years of fighting terrorism.

Imagine the headlines if we didn't have such people ''The Metropolitan Police were condemned today for allowing a suicide bomber to detonate his charge, witnesses said the officers gave several warnings which allowed the bomber time to commit this atrocity''

I personally am glad we have officers like that who will put themselves at risk to protect us, and although a deadly mistake occurred, the real blame is with the extremists who have put us in this position.

Hopefully measures have been put in place that can prevent another innocent death without compromising our safety.

Safe diving,
Steve

[Diving Dude]

Faaaaak me. l'm agreeing with my ugly nuvrun brother.

[BJ]

Our own Ruby Ridge? Massacre at Ruby Ridge

Ruby Ridge

In 1992 a federal force of U.S. Marshals, FBI and BATF agents conducted a murderous assault on the homestead of Randy and Vicki Weaver, resulting in the deaths of Vicki and their son, Sammy. This incident is highly controversial, and has raised serious questions about the abusive use of force by federal agencies against U.S. citizens.

[milldog]

It's easy to criticise after the event but they had a job to do and went down into the station truly believing that there was a bomb there. they did there job and even if we get it wrong and it's splashed all over the papers there are hundreds of times they get it right and we never know!

they do a hard job in difficult times and we should stand by them the laughter and jokes are the guys way of dealing with taking another life, soldiers do the same.

just say well done and thank god there are people there to do these jobs so you dont have to

Graham

[BJ]

Originally Posted by milldog

It's easy to criticise after the event but they had a job to do and went down into the station truly believing that there was a bomb there.
Graham

Read this account of what was said by people under oath: BBC NEWS | UK | Police 'failure' in Menezes death

[rustferret]

I'll hold back back from letting rip on this one but a friend of mine was murdered on the A63 by the police ....................but I dont want to put my BP up.

Rustferret

[Diver Rick]

Having seen the way some police officers shoot Mr de mennez was mighty un-lucky. Most police officers I have seen shoot could not hit a bulls arse with a banjo.
I personally have been shooting for 20 odd years and am quite shocked by the standards of these alleged marksmen.
Enough of a rant. Its the family of the deceiced that I feel sorry for, but there will be another cover up and the officers will walk away with no reprimand.

[stevechesh]

Problem being, these Police officers were the final link in the chain. The Intelligence they had was provided from higher up the chain, and didn't only involve the police. Other security agencies would have been involved as well.. .

I sincerely hope they don't get prosecuted. They carried out there orders. Simple as that, and hopefully this trial will be a formallity to close loose ends. Shit rolls downhill, and the guys that did the shooting are well and truly in the valley. . .

Anyway, thats enough armchair policing from me!