This is the police oath.
I, ... of ... do solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will well and truly serve the Queen in the office of constable, with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality, upholding fundamental human rights and according equal respect to all people; and that I will, to the best of my power, cause the peace to be kept and preserved and prevent all offences against people and property; and that while I continue to hold the said office I will to the best of my skill and knowledge discharge all the duties thereof faithfully according to law.
Note.
I've quoted numerous others. Generally previous police officers, former MPS officers, others, all critiscising him. His peers. If he can still look himself in the mirror, pin on his medals and he's happy he did the right thing then fine. If not, then whatever anyone else thinks won't compare to what he thinks.
The most I've said of him was either he should have done something or he needs to hand his uniform in. I didn't call for a lynching.
As I've said, I personally wouldn't ask anyone else to do something I wouldn't do myself. Again how can he ask people to face a riot? What if tomorrow there's a guy on the beat who sees someone being knifed? Why should that person do something if others above him won't? How many times have "the Generals" being critiscised for sending others to do what they didn't or wouldn't do?
He could have done something, anything. It was his chance to show some of that leadership. What the hell, if he'd run at the bad guy and was knifed and died, it would at least have been considered brave and inspired others and maybe foolish as well. See how long Colonel H Jones has been remembered. See how long we honour those who did step up.
He was in the middle of a short and savage attack and there's many who think he should have done something irrelevant of the personal danger to himself. Could he have been a casualty? Quite possibly but those actions would have far greater reaching affects than just his ability to subdue the attacker. It would be showing leadership in the most arduous of scenarios and faith in your leadership is a powerful tool.
The radio, TV, social media, whatever all seems split on it and just about every media outlet has run with it today.
Calls for Sir Craig Mackey to resign over terror inaction — but what would you do?
It is certainly an unpalatable thought, particularly for many police officers who put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect the public, that a senior officer would not intervene in an incident.
The scenario serves to emphasise the gulf between those at the top of the police service and the rank and file — one anonymous officer claimed their colleague had been disciplined for failing to intervene when their partner was attacked. Such an approach was something, probably rightly, they could not countenance happening to those in a senior position.
Andy Redhead, a former firearms officer, told LBC that Sir Craig should reconsider his position because doing something was “better than nothing” and the primary function of the police was to preserve life.
"His primary instinct wasn't to put himself in harms way."
These were his words when he was presenting awards for bravery:
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/truly-remarkable-lifesaving-police-officers-given-bravery-awards-for-heroics-a3574316.html
Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey, who presented the officers with the awards, said: "These people are truly remarkable and are a real credit to the Met.
“It is with pride and thanks that I can commend them for their actions.
"Their knowledge, skills and determination have been tested to the limits in these challenging situations. Their heroic responses made the difference between life and death.
"They are all fantastic examples of the values we hold dear within the Met and I believe we should all be very grateful to them."
https://www.avforums.com/attachments/upload_2018-10-10_16-59-23-png.1071669/
People are often quick to blame, that doesn't mean they are right. If he has done wrong a case should be brought. Rent-a-mob on social media achieves nothing other than making a fair trail/disciplinary hearing so much harder.
I think there are two distinct sides to this story;
1. What do you do as a human being;
2. What do you do as the deputy commissioner when there actually isn’t a commission.
I think a lot of the outrage is regarding point 1 with lots of arm chair rambos reflecting on what they imagine they would do. It is impossible to dictate what anyone would do in such a situation. Sure I’m not going to lie, my first reaction was also WTF. But then again I can’t begin to imagine what I would do.
What I can imagine is that my training would kick in. That my responsibilities and my role would kick in. There is an in progress terrorist attack at parliament. He is the top police officer (at the time in London). His role is to coordinate and lead from the Scotland Yard incident room. His role is of no use to any response when that is compromised as well.
In addition I understand his escort that day was civilian provided with a job to get him back to the control room.
I fully understand that some will let their emotions get in the way. But in my experience in situations like that everyone needs to assume the role that they have to avoid further chaos.
I don't think he's "done wrong." It's what he didn't do. One of his blokes was in trouble and his instinct wasn't to help. Note "instinct." Not rational thought or anything.
My instinct when a mate was in trouble was to go to my mate. It might not be logical. I might have no idea what I was going to do when I got there. Usually make it up as I went along. Usually I've thought "something like this is what I joined up for" and then jabbered away to others after when the adrenaline was going.
As an aside it's interesting how people do react. I've seen big tough guys go to pieces when fired on and others take it purely in their stride and be incredibly calm and behave just like they are on a normal firing range. You can't tell who will behave how until it happens.
He's on his way out anyway. I wondered if it was related. This incident happened a while ago. He's going soon. Maybe it's linked and he decided he's had enough.
His words again:
Off-duty Bexley police officer stabbed during terrorist attack to get award for his outstanding bravery
Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey said of PC Charlie Guenigault: "For PC Charlie Guenigault there was no such thing as ‘off duty’. That summer night in Borough Market, Charlie ran towards the terrorists, putting himself in danger to protect the public. Without thought for himself, his bravery undoubtedly helped others.
"Helping, supporting, running to the aid of the public or an injured colleague, putting others before ourselves, showing courage and compassion. These we humbly call our values. Values that the men and women of the Met show every day."
PC Guenigault relieved stab wounds to the head, leg and back after he ran to take on the attackers during the incident that left eight victims dead.
Why was no kit in his car? He's in London. Terrorist events or any events are hardly unexpected. I've got a First Aid kit and all sorts of kit in my civvy car. It's in there as a couple of times I've been near a road accident and used it. He's in the police. Did he never think he might witness a crime or something or is he done with it now?
His car?Interesting point, was it an official Police vehicle? I don't know so it's a genuine question.
He was being driven by a police driver and accompanied by his chief of staff.
Both civilians though correct?
Only info i could find states
Sir Craig had just left a meeting with the then policing minister, Brandon Lewis and was accompanied in the MPS BMW by his chauffeur and chief of staff.
MPS is metropolitan Police Service i suppose
Police Professional | Most senior UK officer criticised for fleeing Westminster terror attack
Correct.
In a statement yesterday, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police explained that an ‘operational decision had been made with a police officer at the scene that Sir Craig should not get out and that he and the two civilian police staff should leave immediately.’
After the gunfire ,if the BBC reporting of the inquest is correct
I thought it was what proceeded the gunfire that is being questioned