e-982 (Police officers)

Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament assembled

• On average there are 150 officers for every 100 000 citizens. Less than 70% are on the street.
• The rate of police strength has now declined for four consecutive years.
• Due to the changing context of police work and criminal activity, demands on policing is being challenged.
• As per No. 5, police response times are ever increasing.
• Criminals are on the go 24/7 and do not follow the laws. Terrorism is on the rise.
• The majority of officers work alone in a car or municipality with no on duty backup.
• Officers carry one service pistol with a shotgun or carbine locked in the police vehicle.
• Officers are not allowed to carry a backup firearm, nor conceal carry one when off duty.
• We trust the police to carry a firearm while on duty, so we should trust them to conceal carry when off duty.
• We trust the police to carry a firearm when employed, so we should trust them to conceal carry when retired.
• At any given time there are more off duty and retired officers around than the on duty officer.
• Allowing on duty officers to carry a backup firearm will make their lives safer and in turn the public safer.
• Allowing off duty and retired officers conceal carry a firearm will make them safer and the public safer.