Posted on 01/15/2003 4:27:25 PM PST by knighthawk
Police have confirmed that a suspected terrorist who stabbed a detective during an anti-terrorist raid was not handcuffed at any stage.
Special Branch detective constable Stephen Oake, 40, died as three suspects of north African origin, aged 23, 27 and 29, were being detained at a flat in Crumpsall, north Manchester in a raid linked to last week's discovery of the deadly poison ricin.
Questions are being asked about why the suspect was not handcuffed, and how he was able to launch an attack with a kitchen knife more than an hour after the initial raid - killing the father-of-three, who was not wearing body armour.
Greater Manchester chief constable, Michael Todd said: "They (the suspects) were detained and actually being held by officers at the time. So it was then decided that you can't handcuff someone while you are actually conducting that sort of examination.
"One of the individuals was being held by a police officer, a uniformed officer who was protected, and it appears from the debrief that we have done overnight, that the suspect has managed to break free from the officer.
"The two of them have then literally, in fighting, gone into the kitchen area, where the suspect has managed to grab hold of a knife. I have to say then the Special Branch officers, including Steve, very bravely went to assist their colleagues and that's how he has been fatally stabbed."
Mr Todd added the Special Branch officers were not wearing body armour as there was "no perceived risk." A Greater Manchester Police spokeswoman said that at no stage before the stabbings were any of the suspects handcuffed.
Mr Oake, from Poynton in Cheshire, died at North Manchester General Hospital after treatment at the scene. Four other officers are described as being in a "stable condition" at the hospital. Three suffered stab injuries, and one a broken ankle.
Mr Todd said the Special Branch officers had gone into the flat to collect intelligence after the arrests had been made at 4.22pm, and would not have expected to be confronted by a man with a knife. He added: "At the moment this is a murder inquiry but we will be looking into the lessons which can be learned from this."
Former deputy chief constable of Greater Manchester John Stalker said questions needed to be asked about why the suspect who launched the attack was apparently not handcuffed, and why he was still in the flat at least an hour after police first entered.
If people want on or off this list, please let me know.
Because it would be really mean to handcuff these downtrodden, mistreated African members of the religion of peace.
We're talking about cops here. Two shots to the center of mass.
Enjoy your posts!!
My personal sequence is:
Double tap center of mass.
Head shot
Pelvis (in the event of a vest + missed head shot..this anchors them to the ground and stops their advance).
Always change a losing game.
If you are interested in learning more about firearms, I highly recommend Boston T. Party's Gun Bible available on Amazon.com.
Thanks for keeping us posted on Europe.
I know there is a classic British tendency toward understatement, but frankly, this fellow sounds thick as a plank. Lesson One - arm your officers. This isn't a FReepin' tea party. Lesson Two - handcuff your suspects. Ditto on the tea party.
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