Requirements to become a firearms officer

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.022570

I note you seek access to the following information:

What are the requirements to become a firearms officer?

What are the requirements to becoming transport police?

How beneficial would studying public services be in helping me becoming an officer?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - What are the requirements to become a firearms officer?

- Firearms Officers must have successfully completed their ‘Police Probationary Period’ and confirmed in role as a substantive constable.

- Police Officers wishing to become firearms trained will apply through their line managers to a recruitment process for a relevant armed command. The recruitment process will depend upon the role they’re applying for, but may include: Written applications/knowledge examinations/Interview processes/Professional suitability vetting/Team building exercises & Physical skills assessments. This list is not exhaustive and the assessments constantly evolve depending upon the roles undertaken.

- Firearms officers must undertake prior to any training, an annual fitness and health screening. This includes physical exertion exercises, the grading being dependent upon the armed role the officer is due to undertake. They must also meet the minimum standards for eyesight and hearing. These assessments are required throughout the officer’s career in an armed role.

- Prior to becoming a firearms trained, Police officers must pass an enhanced ballistic first aid course. There is then an annual refresher and assessment of competence for all officers once trained.

- The Police Service has multiple levels of armed officers. Their initial, and continued training, is dictated by the role they’re operationally required to perform. All training is governed by the College of Policing’s ‘National Police Firearms Training Curriculum’ (NPFTC). The curriculum in tandem with the Police Service’s Chief Firearms Instructor, ensure that the relevant training modules are completed by all officers within their specific role profile. An example of training timeframes would be a base level armed officer undertaking five weeks of initial firearms training to gain their qualification. More specialist roles can advance into many more months of training prior to the officer being recognised as operationally competent. I am unable to disclose the exact content of the training courses/NPFTC as these are subject to restriction.

- All Officers in armed roles are subject to regular reviews of their armed status, and must adhere to the professional standards expected from the Police Services in line with the Code of Ethics. Failure to do so may result in the removal of the officer’s authorisation to be armed.

Q2 - What are the requirements to becoming transport police?

Please note that the recruitment process for becoming a British Transport Police (BTP) Officer is separate to working within the Metropolitan Police Service. It may be worth contacting BTP directly. Below I have provided a link to their FOIA homepage:

British Transport Police - Request a Freedom of Information Request

Q3 - How beneficial would studying public services be in helping me becoming an officer?

Degree-holder entry into the MPS requires a degree in any subject so specific subjects would not necessarily provide any additional benefits in terms of applying to become an officer but this will also be dependent on the applicant and the route they are applying for.

The College of Policing website provides detailed information on the eligibility criteria. This can be found on the ‘Joining as a new PC’ page.