FIREARMS officers discharged their weapons just 15 times out of 15,000 operational incidents last year \u2013 a testament to their \u2018complete competence\u2019 according to South Yorkshire Police Federation.<\/p>\n
The figures include police response to terrorism incidents, and Federation Chairman Steve Kent says it proves just how good our firearms officers are.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know this is a bold statement, but what [these figures] tells us is that they\u2019re the best firearms officers in the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, these officers are under immense pressure if they come across a situation where they have to use their weapons, and that\u2019s what they\u2019re trained for.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt literally just shows the complete competence and the highly trained and measured way they approach things, and it\u2019s to their absolute credit.\u201d<\/p>\n
The public understands the need to have firearms in policing Steve said, and he\u2019s not seen a clamour to get guns removed from policing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I look at the reaction on social media there tends to be more of a viewpoint that more officers should be armed, especially in this day and age where terrorist acts can be so random and could happen anywhere, and you never know where the nearest firearms officer is going to be.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the public understand that and feels vulnerable. So, I actually think there\u2019s a swing to have more firearms officers rather than less.\u201d<\/p>\n