What would my FEO say....

Can you clarify which pictures you saw indicated that any rifle was 'loaded'.

The low res ones from the linked Mirror webpage are a bit fuzzy so it's a bit difficult to make out what was actually being used, are there any better ones?
 
Can you clarify which pictures you saw indicated that any rifle was 'loaded'.

The low res ones from the linked Mirror webpage are a bit fuzzy so it's a bit difficult to make out what was actually being used, are there any better ones?

Having served as a sniper with Merseyside Police for many years, I can assure you we NEVER deployed with unloaded weapons.
 
that's the media for you...where's the news in this? LOL

Exactly, however its not the news that is important, its the reaction & public response to the media spin, that makes them the next headline with no real effort.
 
But Chief Superintendent John O'Hare denied this claim, saying: 'Rifle officers are one of a number of specialist roles which are deployed on the ongoing operation to manage the Conservative party conference.
'This deployment is not unusual, and they have been used for previous party conferences, both Conservative and Labour, over the years here in Manchester.
'This should also be viewed as part of the wider context, which is that we are hosting the ruling government of the day while the terrorist threat level has been set at the highest point for several years.
'Despite what is being reported, they were not on duty specifically to assist in the policing of the TUC march, except in a minor observational role due to their elevated position above the streets.'
A spokesman confirmed that the weapons would be fired if necessary.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...se-snipers-Tory-conference.html#ixzz3njCoqhpw
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
 
Slightly off topic but concerning police spotters, Have a friend in the property management business in London, looks after lots of top end property and is at the top of this tree, he therefore has the perk to be able to access some superb property & views across our fine capital for major events, and avoid the crowds while getting a birds eye view, he has been told recently this access will no longer be permitted full stop, not by the owners or landlords from whom he has permission and on occasion joins/invites to enjoy the relevant events, but by the met who has also stated this relates to security issues, they however continue to access most of his properties to utilise the position for their security procedures.
 
So in your experience would police do what's suggested?

I've never seen it and would rightly expect to be bo11ocked for doing it. Very surprised that a 'police spokesman' confirmed that weapon sights are routinely used for observation. Not in my experience, but the photo does appear to show just that...:scared:
 
Shortage of funds ?

Sold all their binos to buy a new squad car with blues and 2's that work, and more than likely they had no ammo either ?...?

Bob.
 
Having served as a sniper with Merseyside Police for many years, I can assure you we NEVER deployed with unloaded weapons.

As pointed out by a friend (and current rifle officer), they always deploy in pairs,, shooter and spotter. He said most likely the picture was taken whilst setting up hence only one officer and therefore most likely the rifle was unloaded.
 
Having served as a sniper with Merseyside Police for many years, I can assure you we NEVER deployed with unloaded weapons.
Not long off the blower to my mate a long retired ex army and ex trainer of Police and i spoke to him about this and i laughed and asked him specifically would his rifle had one up the spout haha and he said he would have had his b@ws booted (words to that effect) if he was not ready to go. I said your having a laugh and he said DO YOU REALLY THINK SO. Orders are orders but how far do you go? when the people are unarmed and the order is given? Me personally hypothetically could not take a life under any circumstances but that is why we have others to do so and hopefully it will be perfectly legal when they do so and not on the orders of some ersehole in any party to suit them
 
It's not really something I believe that you can compare like for like. Being a police marksman and using a rifle for sporting purposes are very different. With one, you have to be ready to shoot a human target (but hopefully not) and with the other you do absolutely everything to avoid that. So protocols are very different.

If a marksman sets himself up, but doesn't actually look through his scope when in position, how can he assure himself he is ready to take a shot if the unthinkable happens? I can just imagine a marksman having to shoot a terrorist before he lets loose and misses because the focus is out or something is awry. "I didn't want to do that because someone might take a picture and sell it to The Mirror" as an excuse wouldn't go down too well.

Anyway when out with your rifle, when you get it out of the car then get it out of the slip, who doesn't have a squint through the scope?
 
Years ago, the law may now be different, a person who knew that someone was pointing a gun at them could have made a complaint of assault against that person pointing the gun.
 
Years ago, the law may now be different, a person who knew that someone was pointing a gun at them could have made a complaint of assault against that person pointing the gun.

I imagine that's still possible. There doesn't actually have to be physical contact (battery) for an assault to have taken place. I suspect that today though, the police would probably use other legislation.
 
This police officer is doing nothing wrong. The fact that people are happy to jump on him for doing his job says more about them. There are 100 variables as to why he qould be using his scope,greater magnification,rangefinding,confirming his range card. Or Perhaps a possibble threat was identified in the crowd or periphiraries. Im sure there are people out here that have carried a loaded weapon and pointed it many times at peopl and items they did not intend to engage through there job. My only issue with these officers would be there poor positioning and choice of firing position. Unless of course they are being massiveley over to take advantage of the detterant a long barrelled rifle provides.
 
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