The Skakagrall

Well, I guess the family of our Brasilian illegal immigrant (since his Visa was expired) should thank . . . [Ed. This is unhelpful so it has been censored] . Also, it is time to use an iron fist against illegal immigrants, a problem that has been not tackled properly so far.

[Ed. Please note that racist comments will not be allowed here.]

He panicked (for some reason).

The police panicked (because he might have been a suicide bomber and maybe they were conscious that they should have picked him up quicker and then he ran into the tube station and by then it was too late, simply because of the association of ideas in all our brains).

The rules for authorising firearms and a shoot to kill policy had doubtless been carefully thought out in theory but never tested in practice (so now the rule-makers are panicking).

This stuff is going to happen (unless we tackle some much more fundamental issues). The cock-up theory of history, writ just a little larger than usual.

Yes, I agree with that summary.

My last question "Does a senior officer authorize the use of fire-arms in a given situation . . .?" was answered in the affirmative by someone, but I still wonder if it happened on this occasion.

The policeman apparently fired eight times at point blank range. The whole operation sounds as if it went out of control. I wonder if anyone will eventually be charged?

The policy was influenced by experience in Sri Lanka. Did the police realize that they would have to re-think it in a different urban, international context where behaviour patterns are less predictable and harder to read?

Didn't know that (about Sri Lanka). I thougt five times sounded a little excessive. Eight is worse. But then I've never operated an automatic pistol. I imagine if your finger freezes out of panic, the thing just goes on firing.

Interesting use of stun guns in this morning's Birmingham arrests. Maybe a wee rethink?

Yes, interesting that they used the Taser. I wrote about these guns back in May when the police were talking about using them against G8 protesters. There wasn't much followup. I wonder if the police eventually decided not to issue them for that purpose.

Using them against violent criminals would be more appropriate, but I don't know about suicide bombers. They are normally directed towards the body, I imagine they might still kill if aimed at the head, but if fired at the body they might set off a bomb. No doubt we will be hearing more about this.