Bureni, personally speaking I'd be ok with an armed police force. But I know many (including a lot of officers) wouldn't want it.
Part of my job means I travel to many countries and I've yet to see one outside of the UK where police are not armed. It certainly would bring a lot of benefits in terms of deterrence. I agree on that.
My hesitation is really because like I say, as a nation I don't think we're ready for it because of the way we seem to pillory officers for decisions they had a split second to make. Remember the De Mendez case? Duggan? I just don't think it's fair to give the police a gun then string them up when they use it in good faith but later find out it's a genuine mistake.
As a nation we don't support the police enough. Back when I lived in the US, one of the things I really took away was the genuine respect your average american had for law enforcement & armed forces. Something sorely lacking in this country.
It's so sad to hear this. Especially as a close friend of mine is also a police officer. You sort of know this is a risk but this sort of incident really brings the dangers home.