Exclusive: An armed officer cleared of murder on why all police should have guns

The Daily T

Aside from Martyn Blake, only three other armed police officers have stood trial for murder. We speak to one of them.

The news of firearms officer Martyn Blake's acquittal in the Chris Kaba murder trial has sparked a national debate - not just about how and why the CPS came to charge him in the first place, but also the very future of armed policing in the UK itself. After all, who'd be an armed officer when there's a risk of criminal proceedings being opened against you?

Kamal and Gordon Rayner bring you a special extended interview with former police marksman Tony Long, who was cleared of the murder of suspected gang member Azelle Rodney, in 2005. One of only three other armed police officers who've ever stood trial for murder, he recounts his own ordeal, and explains why he thinks all police officers should carry guns.

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Producers: Lilian Fawcett and Georgia Coan

Senior Producer: John Cadigan

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Additional production from James Shield

Original music by Goss Studio

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