RIP PC Dibell

PC or not, I think most people would react to hearing shooting by getting away. Well done fella, RIP.

BBC News - Peter Reeve sought after PC Ian Dibell shot dead

An off-duty police officer has been shot dead and another man injured in an Essex seaside town.

Police were called at about 15:30 BST on Monday after gunfire was heard near Redbridge Road in Clacton-on-Sea.

Essex Police Chief Constable Jim Barker-McCardle said PC Ian Dibell, 41, was killed after he "deliberately intervened" in a "deadly situation".

Officers are hunting Peter Reeve, 64, over the shooting. They said he was dangerous and should not be approached.

Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said PC Dibell had "demonstrated remarkable courage and bravery".

He said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of our colleague who has been killed in Essex. It's a very sad day indeed."

Mr Barker-McCardle said PC Dibell was "an experienced and professional neighbourhood police officer" who "deliberately intervened in what he knew was an extremely deadly situation".

The chief constable said: "Policing is a family and we are all hurting.

"This dreadful event reminds us all that policing is a mission that ultimately some die for.

"We will not rest until his killer is found."

Mr Reeve, who is believed to be armed, is described as white, about 5ft 10ins tall with short, greyish hair, wearing jeans and possibly glasses. He comes from the Clacton area.

Armed officers are searching the town and residents have been advised to remain indoors.

Mark Smith, chairman of the Essex Police Federation, said PC Dibell was a "dedicated professional officer who, even though off duty, has paid the ultimate sacrifice for his bravery and selfless actions in trying to protect his local community".

A white tent has been erected in front of a house at the scene and more than 13 police vehicles are parked nearby, including a van full of armed officers.

A group of 20 neighbours was led away from nearby houses by forensic officers and gave their details before leaving the scene.

A police spokesman said they were confident of catching the gunman after receiving many calls from the public.

He described how when police arrived they found one man dead and another man with serious leg injuries lying in the street.

A BBC Essex reporter said it was a quiet residential area in a "well-to-do" part of Clacton.

A 45-year-old woman, who lives yards from the scene, said: "I heard a lot of commotion at about 3.40 near to flats at the end of the street.

"I didn't know what was going on. There's still a lot of commotion in the street. I saw a man running up the road.

"I don't know anyone involved in what's happened. The whole road has been cordoned off. My husband isn't being allowed back to our house."

Patrick Mooney, 83, returned from a shopping trip at about 16:00 to find police in his street.

"I was escorted back to my house by police and told 'stay inside'," he said.

"I didn't ask what was going on and they didn't tell me."

RIP PC Dibell

I'm not sure what the guidance is in these situations - almost certainly don't intervene without some kind of back-up/protection, I would imagine.

But people seeing this as a vindication of that guidance are probably missing the point.

I hope the perpetrator is apprehended soon, or goes the same way as that twat Raoul Moat a couple of years ago ...

Well done the officer for going to the aid of the man shot.

I can't help but feel you've missed an opportunity with the headline - should be Officer Dibel, surely.

My son (the other one) is plod and has never seen fit to stand back from situations if he thought he could or should step in. I worry about that aspect of his character sometimes for this sort of reason.

RIP PC Dibell. You done right btw . . .

Its why they are and should continue to be treated differently from other public sector workers..whatever some politicians may think..........

Its rumoured the gun man has now topped himself and wont face the music for his action? Bastard.

Originally Posted by Gedge

Its why they are and should continue to be treated differently from other public sector workers..whatever some politicians may think..........

agreed.

Awful thing to happen, RIP Dibell.

Originally Posted by Gedge

Its why they are and should continue to be treated differently from other public sector workers..whatever some politicians may think..........

Public sector workers all do what the name suggests, they serve the public. None of them deserve to be shafted as they are now. Education, health, social services, general unemployment, these are all things that stop the police becoming the next frontline Gedge. The police are the wicket keepers when all the other services fail, or are taken away.

RIP a brave man, though possibly an ill advised one tackling a gunman with no body armour or backup.

Originally Posted by Byker28i

Well done the officer for going to the aid of the man shot.

I can't help but feel you've missed an opportunity with the headline - should be Officer Dibel, surely.

Probably not the thread to be making jokes about a murdered mans name really?

He did what he thought was best and paid with his life. Rest in Peace Pc Dibell

RIP PC Dibell

Originally Posted by Taipan

Its rumoured the gun man has now topped himself and wont face the music for his action? Bastard.

Body alleged to be him have been found near Chelmsford according to the Beeb.

Originally Posted by Taipan

Its rumoured the gun man has now topped himself and wont face the music for his action? Bastard.

I'd have thought many people here would see that as the perfect outcome

Not saying it isn't.

Originally Posted by Taipan

Its rumoured the gun man has now topped himself and wont face the music for his action? Bastard.

Hmm.

I'm not sure that being dead is much better than facing the music, is it ?

I know we generally prefer trials and all that, but in this case, I'm not going to have any misgivings

Well its true, sometimes I do think some people should be stripped of the right to breathe. But, I'd rather see people like this spend their days living in isolation of the free world. Seeing the developments going on in the outside world knowing they'll never experience them. Letting them have a very, very long time to reflect on what they did and become embittered with their loss of freedom and hopefully learn to regret their actions, day after day after day....

Originally Posted by Taipan

Well its true, sometimes I do think some people should be stripped of the right to breathe. But, I'd rather see people like this spend their days living in isolation of the free world. Seeing the developments going on in the outside world knowing they'll never experience them. Letting them have a very, very long time to reflect on what they did and become embittered with their loss of freedom and hopefully learn to regret their actions, day after day after day....

Unlikely to happen, these thoughts would only occur to them if they thought like normal people did... they often don't, and having access in prison to full medical services at the drop of a hat, full sky/ xbox / playstation, tv, comfy bedding and other home comforts along with books and entertainment is not such a change to most of these peoples chaotic lives, and often an improvement..... his death has just saved us (the tax payer) millions in Cat A security... by far the best outcome.

In regards the officer, yes he was brave, but on the surface of it his actions appear ill advised, all officers are taught that in any firearms incidents to observe and report what is happening to the call operator, then firearms officers can be deployed to an RV point and assess, going in without any radio or body armour is fool hardy, often the '' moment '' can take over good judgement and you end up with two bodies instead of one. A similar scenario happened a few years ago when a dog went into the sea at Blackpool.... the owner went in after it, so did another member of the public and so did a Police officer... they all died, and the dog got out ! Observe first, then think, then observe some more, then take action..... my life is the most important thing to consider, adding another casualty to the scene helps no one.

The man died trying to save the life of another, calling him ill advised or foolhardy serves no one and only obscures the bravery of his actions. Let me say this again in case it missed the point the first time. From reports I've heard he intervened when another man was shot and injured on the ground with the assailant walking towards him. You can call him foolhardy or ill advised or whatever you like, as far as I'm concerned he's incredibly brave, he gave his life for another and I for one will salute him for that.