Authorised Firearms Officer

An Authorised Firearms Officer (AFO) is a British police officer who has received training, and is authorised, to carry and use firearms. The designation is significant because in Great Britain most police officers do not routinely carry firearms. However, following the November 2015 Paris attacks it was decided to significantly increase the numbers of armed officers, particularly in London. Also, members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, do routinely carry firearms due to the increased risk of armed violence. The Ministry of Defence Police and the Civil Nuclear Constabulary also routinely carry firearms.

In 2014/15 there were 5,647 Authorised Firearms Officers and 14,666 police operations throughout England and Wales in which the deployment of firearms was authorised.

AFOs are often deployed in Armed Response Vehicles (ARV) or on static security duties.

All police forces in the United Kingdom have an AFO selection process, varying slightly between each force. As with many police specialities, all Authorised Firearms Officers have volunteered for the role. Candidates are required to gain approval from their superiors before embarking on a series of interviews, psychological and physical fitness tests, medical examinations and assessment days, before permission to commence firearms training is given. There is no guarantee of success; candidates can be returned to their previous role at any point in training if they do not meet the required standard.

Once authorised, AFOs must pass regular refresher training and retests in order to maintain their authorisation. Failure to meet the required standards can result in the officer having their firearms authorisation revoked. Health or fitness problems can also result in temporary or permanent suspension from firearms duties.

AFOs are used by some specialist units of police forces throughout the United Kingdom, who by nature of their role have a requirement to deploy armed police officers. Such units include the Diplomatic Protection Group of the Metropolitan Police Service, Armed Response Vehicles in various police forces throughout the UK, in Airport Policing, and officers of the Ministry of Defence Police and the Civil Nuclear Constabulary.

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