Well it wouldn't be an anonymous police blog without a post regarding the riots in August 2011 in London following the police shooting of Mark Duggan now would it? Also, I did promise some controversy and to say what others did not dare say.
Now, for those who don't know, Mark Duggan was shot dead by police in August 2011. An intelligence led operation was conducted as the Met Police, correctly, believed that he would be in possession of an illegal firearm. Once the police were sure he had possession of the firearm they made their move to pull the taxi that Duggan was inside to the side of the road. Duggan opened the rear passenger door and appeared to try and flee. A firearms officer shot him dead believing that he was about to pull the firearm on him and his colleagues.
Analysis of the bullets' entry into Duggan's body and clothing has given us a clear indication of his posture the moment he was shot. As you read this, put your left hand into your left jacket pocket. Put your right hand under your left, under your jacket and into the waistband of your trousers. Now imagine yourself in this position as you run out of the back of a taxi. This is the position Duggan is now known to have been in when he was shot by police. Was the officer, knowing that he was in possession of a firearm, justified to believe that Duggan was reaching for a firearm?
An illegal firearm was later found metres from the car.
We have developed a culture in England as to never muddying that name of the dead, no matter the circumstances. Duggan has been portrayed favorably in the media. All negative press has been directed at the officers' actions and planning. I didn't know Mark Duggan, but I do know one thing, he had an illegal firearm. That means he had chosen to carry an illegal firearm. This indicates that he had chosen a certain life. We are all responsible for our choices, including the dead.
That firearms officer was put through the mill. He did not go to work to shoot a man dead. He went to work to do his job and return home to his family and loved ones in one piece. A known criminal, whom intelligence suggested was involved with a well-known and dangerous gang, who was known to be in possession of an illegal firearm, and quickly exited a vehicle, turning toward the officer in the stance described earlier. In that split second whereby that officer could make a potentially life or death decision, was he right to shoot? Is it that officer's fault that Duggan is dead?
I would suggest no. We are all responsible for our actions. We are all responsible for our decisions. That day Duggan decided to collect an illegal firearm and transport for whatever dangerous reason. When he made that decision he accepted certain risks. When his taxi was pulled over by armed officers shouting "Police!" he decided to flee. He decided not to surrender and comply with the officers demands. Before that day it is probable that Duggan made other bad decisions with a flippant view of the law and the rest of society. Who is responsible for Mark Duggan's death? Mark Duggan.
The riots that followed caused hundreds of millions of pounds worth of damage and spread through London. It began in Tottenham where Duggan was from. Soon, opportunists jumped on the band wagon and looting was widespread. Long-standing family businesses were burnt to the ground and the Met Police lost complete control of London for days. I was there throughout.
One question that people often ask police officers is "Have you ever thought you were going to die?". During the riots it was a complete war zone in London. At one point I was with an officer who had recently joined the police from the army and had done two tours of Afghanistan. Things were looking a bit hairy at one point and we were surrounded and cut off by hundreds of masked and armed rioters with a thirst for police blood. He turned to me and said 'I don't think we are going to make it through this'". That was the moment I feared for my life. One day I'll tell you the full story of my experience in the riots, until then, stay safe.
Anonymous Bobby
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