“Charging NX121 Exposes the Truth: Police Have Few Allies Left – Public Now Calling IOPC Be Defunded”

Under Fire and Undervalued: The Mounting Pressures Facing Firearms Officers Amid IOPC Controversy. Split-second decisions. Life or death consequences. Judged by the world.”
You think you know what firearms officers go through—you don’t.
Read why growing numbers are walking away from a job no one wants to understand.

Unless you’ve served as a police officer—particularly as a firearms officer—it’s impossible to fully comprehend the immense pressures that come with the role. These are individuals who make life-or-death decisions in the blink of an eye, operating under intense scrutiny, not just from the public, but from political powers and oversight bodies like the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The recent decision to charge Metropolitan Police officer NX121 with gross misconduct—despite being acquitted of murder in less than three hours by an independent jury—has triggered outrage across policing communities and the wider public. Former Met Officer Graham Wettone didn’t hold back, stating: “They are not fit for purpose and this decision shows that clearly… This is a thoroughly disgusting and scandalous decision.”

One thing this decision has shown the public is just how little friends police officers have that has prompted them to call for the defunding of the IOPC.

NX121 had already faced the full weight of the criminal justice system and was found to have acted lawfully and justifiably. Yet now, on the “balance of probabilities”, the IOPC is directing the Met to hold a misconduct hearing that could see this officer lose his career. Many believe this is not about justice but about bureaucratic self-preservation.

“This will now put more strain on the officer and his family that have already been through so much,” Wettone added. “Being a firearms officer is a voluntary role… this decision will reverberate across the country.”

The backlash has been swift. Many in the community are now openly questioning the role and motives of the IOPC, with calls to defund the organisation growing louder. The public is increasingly sceptical about just how “independent” this body truly is.

Amid all of this is a much broader and concerning issue: the mental health of firearms officers. These highly trained individuals already face enormous psychological strain due to the nature of their work—facing armed suspects, potential terrorist threats, and daily danger. Now, the added fear of career-ending investigations—often perceived as politically motivated—is driving morale to new lows.

Firearms officers are routinely exposed to traumatic incidents. According to police federation data, the mental toll on armed officers is significantly higher than in other roles. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression are quietly but steadily increasing among this group, yet access to effective mental health support remains patchy and under-resourced.

The decision against NX121 has served as a catalyst. It has exposed not only the mental strain on these officers but also the systemic failure to protect those who serve on the frontline. As one observer put it: “Once again, our police officers are thrown under the bus—a bus that needs new tyres every week from how often it’s used.”

The public’s anger is growing—not just in support of NX121, but in opposition to the IOPC. For many, this moment marks a tipping point. It’s not just about one officer. It’s about all officers, the lack of backing they receive, and the critical state of their wellbeing in an increasingly hostile environment.

The time for change is now. This case has revealed more than just a flawed disciplinary decision—it has laid bare a fractured system in desperate need of reform, compassion, and support for those who risk their lives to keep the rest of us safe.

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