Police Chief Warns: Knife-Carrying Criminals Risk Being Shot on Sight

Kennedy argues that all police officers should receive firearms training, and that each police vehicle should be equipped with guns. This preparation, he suggests, would enable officers to effectively handle life-threatening situations and protect the public more efficiently.

The SPF, representing a significant 98 percent of Scotland’s officers, is gearing up to propose these changes as part of their upcoming manifesto for police reform. This proposal is set to be unveiled later this month, just in time to influence discussions in the run-up to the Scottish parliament election.

He believes that all officers should be trained in the use of guns and every police car equipped to carry them, allowing access in the event of a threat to life incident.

The SPF – which represents 98 per cent of officers – will make the case for greater protection as part of its manifesto for police reform, which is due to be released later this month ahead of the Scottish parliament election.

Discussing its most eye-catching proposal in an interview in The Herald, Mr Kennedy suggested there was a clear need for stronger action over the threat to police and public from knife crime.

He said: ‘If you walk out into the street in Scotland with a knife you should expect to be shot by police.’

David Kennedy has proposed for more Scottish police officers to have access to firearms

Mr Kennedy highlighted the increased dangers for officers and the public from knife crime

Mr Kennedy added that ‘every single police officer’ in Scotland will suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder at some point due to the levels of violence they face, adding: ‘Police in Scotland are being emotionally and psychologically battered every day.’

With officers also buckling under the pressure of low numbers on the frontline, Mr Kennedy claims the public is being left at risk.

He said: ‘Policing is in crisis and the officers trying their hardest to provide a service to their communities are being broken in the process.’ 

In particular, the SPF points out that ‘violence against officers is rising and personal protective equipment remains inadequate’. 

As a result, the SPF is keen to adopt the firearms model used in Norway and New Zealand, which allows weapons to be stored securely in every police car so officers can access guns quickly if there is a threat to life.

The proposal was backed by the Scottish Conservative victims and community safety spokesman, Sharon Dowey, who said: ‘These calls underline the growing problem of knife crime which is causing misery on Scotland’s streets.

‘Under the SNP’s regime, many dangerous individuals involved in knife crime often avoid jail and are simply sent away with a slap on the wrists.’